Iko Nini Bwana Seed?

WHAT UK NEWSPAPERS SAY

Martyns & Rose Solicitors - CAPITALfm RADIO fff - KAMEME RADIO IS BACK AGAIN

The Hague, March  31 - The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday gave the green light for a full-scale probe by its prosecutor of the deadly violence that followed Kenya's 2007 presidential election. "The chamber, by majority, hereby authorises the commencement of an investigation into the situation in the Republic of Kenya in relation to crimes against humanity," the court said in a written decision which was posted on ICC’s website. "The information available provides a reasonable basis to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed on Kenyan territory," the written ruling said. Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo asked the judges last November to allow him to probe the violence that claimed about 1,500 lives, injured thousands and left about 300,000 internally displaced following elections on December 27, 2007. The ruling said the prosecutor had contended the crimes committed in Kenya at the time had amounted to crimes against humanity. Earlier this month, Mr Ocampo gave judges 20 names of "senior political and business leaders”, whom he said organised, enticed and/or financed attacks against the civilian population on account of their perceived ethnic and/or political affiliation. In the decision, the court said: “The majority finds that upon examination of the available information, bearing in mind the nature of the proceedings under Article 15 of the Statute, the low threshold applicable at this stage, as well as the object and purpose of this decision, the information available provides a reasonable basis to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed on Kenyan territory.” “The majority moreover found that all criteria for the exercise of the Court’s jurisdiction were satisfied, to the standard of proof applicable at this stage,” the ruling said.
 

It went on to state: “The majority therefore granted the Prosecutor’s request, and allowed him to commence an investigation covering alleged crimes against humanity committed during the events that took place between June 1, 2005 (i.e the date of the Statute’s entry into force for the Republic of Kenya) and November 26, 2009 (i.e the date of the filing of the Prosecutor’s Request).” The judge with a dissenting opinion Hans-Peter Kaul held that the crimes committed in Kenya did not qualify as crimes against humanity under the jurisdictional ambit of the Statute. In particular, Judge Kaul disagreed with the majority on the requirements of a “State or organisational policy” as set out in Article 7(2)(a) of the Statute. Given the fact that the fundamental rationale of crimes against humanity as codified in Article 7 of the Statute was to protect the international community against the extremely grave threat emanating from such policies, Judge Kaul concluded that it had to be adopted either by a State or at the policy-making level of a State-like organisation. Back in Kenya, Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo was quick to laud the ruling, telling Capital News that he “welcomed the decision.” The ruling was equally received with excitement by the State-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and other non-governmental organisations. “The ruling by ICC is a very important step towards justice for the victims of post election in Kenya,” Hassan Omar Hassan, vice chairman of the KNCHR said. “It is a sign of good hope for us and we have been anticipating for it, it will go a long way in ending impunity in Kenya; what this means is that perpetrators of impunity will be published which is a very good sign from the ICC,” he told Capital News on telephone. The Executive Director of the International Center for Policy and Conflict (ICPC) Ndung’u Wainaina said “the decision of the International Criminal Court on the Kenya situation is landmark in many respects. It proves that the Court remains a crucial credible, impartial and efficient judicial institution based on justice and law.” - AFP and CapitalFM.

Gospel Singer Ben Githae arrives in London

The popular Kenyan Gospel Singer Mr. Ben Githae arrived in London today Wednesday morning 31st March 2010 for a one month tour in UK. Githae will be performing in different towns during his tour. The singer will kick off on Sunday evening  4th April, 2010 where he will be joining other artists at Music extravaganza at IWRM Church in East London at 6.00 p.m. He will be at CCBC Swahili Church, Barking on Sunday 11th April, 2010 as from 9.00 a.m. He is being hosted by Glory Restoration Ministry in Coventry. Mr. Githae (left above) seen at Heathrow Airport before heading off to Coventry where he was awaited with a Karamu Mulwa (see right photo). His telephone contact in UK is 07553676185. He will concluded his tour in the UK with the host's three days crusade in Coventry as from 23rd to 25th April, 2010. - CLICK HERE FOR MORE

To Achieve Your Dreams, Remember your A to Z

America's main pro-Israel lobby group is mobilising members of Congress to pressure the White House over its bitter public confrontation with Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister. The move, by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), appears aimed at exploiting differences in the Obama administration as it decides how to use the crisis around settlement building in Jerusalem to press Israel towards concessions to kickstart peace negotiations. Aipac has persuaded more than three-quarters of the members of the US House of Representatives to sign a letter calling for an end to public criticism of Israel and urging the US to "reinforce" its relationship with the Jewish state. The open letter, which has been circulating among members of Congress for the last week, says that while it is recognised that there will be differences between the two countries, they should be kept behind closed doors. "Our view is that such differences are best resolved quietly, in trust and confidence," it says. The public differences, and revelations of Obama's private snubs of Netanyahu at the White House last week, have proved embarrassing to the Israeli leader at home, where he has been accused of undermining Israel's most important relationship. Signatories to Aipac's letter include Steny Hoyer, the Democrat majority leader, and Eric Cantor, the Republican whip. The wording is similar to an email Aipac sent out during Netanyahu's visit, describing Obama's criticisms of the Israeli government as "a matter of serious concern" and calling on the US administration "to take immediate steps to defuse the tension with the Jewish state".

£1,000 FINE FOR SELLING A GOLDFISH

Joan Higgins was fined £1,000 for selling an animal to someone under 16. Britain's legal system was branded a farce last night after a pet shop owner was threatened with jail, heavily fined and tagged – for selling a goldfish to a 14-year-old boy. Great-grandmother Joan Higgins, 66, felt the full weight of the law after being caught in a “sting” set up by her local council which sent the youngster to buy the £1.50 fish in a test purchase. And after an eight-month wait to appear in court she almost fainted when she was fined £1,000 for selling an animal to someone under 16. Mrs Higgins, who has run the shop for 28 years, was also put under a 7pm to 7am curfew for seven weeks and electronically tagged after magistrates accepted she was not well enough to do community service. Last night the “draconian” sentence sparked fury, with Tory MP Philip Davies saying: “This punishment is absolutely ridiculous, completely disproportionate to the offence. What purpose is being served by tagging and putting someone like this under a curfew?

SOUTH AFRICA HERE WE COME BY ROAD

Akamba bus service to thrill Kenyan Football fans. We are going to the world cup by road to South Africa. Akamba has bought several new buses designed and equipped for the long journey to SA. - Photo by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi.

For the 1st time ever

the most exhilarating, exciting and anticipated international event is coming to the African continent.

 South Africa 2010

The Route

  The proposed route which has been surveyed crosses 5 countries including country of origin and destination, covering a total of 4,371 kms and crossing 4 borders one way.

Guests From Uganda & Rwanda

Guests from Uganda and Rwanda who wish to travel to the World Cup will travel to Nairobi using the route schedules and arrive in Nairobi one day before the tour schedule.

 Trip Plan Johannesburg - Nairobi

Grouping Plan

The Tour will be conducted in three groups targeting different soccer matches

Accommodation and catering of guests

• Comfortable accommodation has been arranged en-route and at Johannesburg.  The Hotels and Lodges are strategically situated in lush tropical surroundings.

• Full course buffet Dinner and continental Breakfast will be served at the Hotels and Lodges. While en-route, lunch will be served at good restaurants and where necessary a packed lunch will be arranged from various restaurants.

Accommodation and catering of guests

• Comfortable accommodation has been arranged en-route and at Johannesburg.  The Hotels and Lodges are strategically situated in lush tropical surroundings.

• Full course buffet Dinner and continental Breakfast will be served at the Hotels and Lodges. While en-route, lunch will be served at good restaurants and where necessary a packed lunch will be arranged from various restaurants.

Life goes on. A general view of Park Kultury metro station in Moscow March 30, 2010. Moscow observed an official day of mourning on Tuesday and nervous commuters returned to the metro, while the death toll from twin suicide bombings on the capital's underground railway rose to 39 people. Flags across Moscow flew at half-mast and sombre Muscovites laid flowers and lit candles at the stations hit by the blasts blamed on North Caucasus rebels and on right people lay flowers in memory of victims of a bomb explosion at Lubyanka metro station in Moscow

METHALI YA KISWAHILI

Mcheza hawi kiwete, ngoma yataka matao.

A dancer will not become crippled for dancing calls for grace

London house prices surge at fastest rate since property boom

London house prices have surged at their fastest rate since the peak of the property boom, according to a new survey. The average cost of a home in the capital stood at £280,791 this month, 15.7 per cent higher than a year previously, said the Nationwide. They were last going up more rapidly in the summer of 2007, just before the market turned. Prices rose faster in Hackney and Hammersmith & Fulham — both with 22 per cent increases — than anywhere else in the country. Property experts said the dramatic recovery in the London market was down to foreign investors cashing in on the weakness of the pound combined with higher salaries and bonuses in the City and a shortage of homes up for sale. Although values have not yet generally recovered their highs of 2007, much of the ground lost since the start of the credit crunch has now been made up. In some hot spots favoured by wealthy buyers prices are now well above their 2007 highs. Martin Gahbauer, chief economist at the Nationwide, said London has led the national house price recovery. He said: “Over the past five years, prices in London have risen by 20 per cent while those in the rest of the UK have risen by just five per cent. However, as a result of this, affordability has worsened in London whilst it has improved in other parts of the country.” Neil Stephens, head of mortgages at the Welbeck Group, said: “This new London bubble is a direct result of the Government's attack on bonuses. Lenders are happier with higher base salaries than bonus income, so lending is easier to achieve. Prices will rise in the South-East for a while.” Nationally, prices rose by 0.7 per cent this month, 1.6 per cent in the first quarter and nine per cent year on year, according to Nationwide.

Lemon: Benefits & Uses

One should not take concentrated lemon-juice. It should be diluted with water before taking it. Pure lemon­juice contains acid which is injurious to the enamel of teeth.

Their baby body in the grave was dug up and eaten by fox in London

Tribute: Emem and Godwin Iferi lay flowers on the communal grave where their son was buried

Godwin and Emem Iferi walk slowly up the poplar-lined central boulevard of Battersea New Cemetery in Wandsworth. After a few dozen yards, Godwin doubles over in pain and starts to turn back. “I don't think I can go any further,” he says. Emem takes his arm and tells him: “Come on, we can do this.”  For Godwin, 36, and Emem, 33, today is to be excruciatingly tough. It is six months since police officers knocked on the door of their south London home and delivered the horrific news that the body of their five-day-old son, David, who had been buried six weeks before, had been dug up and taken by a fox. The baby's coffin had been found, along with his identity wristband and the shawl he'd been wrapped in, but his remains would never be found. The Iferis, who also have a three-year-old daughter, have been so traumatised they have been unable to visit the last resting place of their son. “In my mind,” says Emem, “I had only to shut my eyes to find myself back in the cemetery, haunted by the terrible image of a fox picking up our son's head.”. Today, though, the couple have decided to return to the grave for the first time. “We are doing this to begin our own healing, but also because we want to draw a line in the sand to prevent what happened to David happening to others,” says Emem.

Neno la Wiki

 Zaburi 34:19-20

19. Mateso ya mwadilifu ni mengi,

     lakini Mwenyezi-Mungu humwokoa

    kutoka yote.

20. Huvilinda viungo vya mwili wake, wote,

     hakuna hata mfupa wake mmoja

    utakaovunjwa.

Desalinate - To remove the salt from something, especially from seawater for use in a domestic water supply

Leading Reading pharmacist jailed for fraud

A leading pharmacist has been jailed for three years after admitting fraudulently claiming thousands of pounds from the NHS. Charles Butler, 64, of Reading, who owned pharmacies across Berkshire and was a visiting university professor, claimed £175,000 in NHS expenses. He was arrested in a London flat where police found sado-masochistic equipment and illegal drugs. Butler admitted fraud, deception and drugs offences. Southwark Crown Court heard he submitted invoices for more than £148,000 over six-and-a-half years to cover the cost of employing a locum who did not exist. When police forced their way into his flat in Mile End Road, Whitechapel, east London, which he used while working in the capital, prosecutor Miss Deanna Heer said they found it had been specially adapted to be a sexual bondage venue. Police found drugs including crystal meth, cocaine and the date-rape drug rohypnol. Butler pleaded guilty to one count of fraud, two counts of obtaining property by deception and possession of various Class A, B and C drugs.

"You are the church, the building is not the church." - Pastor Patrick Thuku (Pato)

Londoners to drink Thames River water  through desalination

Thames Gateway Water Treatment Works

Pressure on London's water resources is set to grow, as a result of forecast population increases and the impact of climate change. To help ensure there is plenty to go round, even during prolonged periods of low rainfall, we are opening a new water treatment works. The Thames Gateway Water Treatment Works will take water from the tidal River Thames and has the capacity to provide water for up to 400,000 households.

Why does London need more water?

London is classed by the Environment Agency as 'seriously water stressed'. This is because the region's large population means that the amount of rainfall per head of population is very low. London actually receives less rainfall than Rome, Istanbul, Dallas or Sydney. The volume of water we can take from rivers and groundwater sources, to treat and turn into drinking water, is limited by licences from the Environment Agency. These controls are set in order to protect the environment. Pressure on water resources will continue to grow in the future. Another 700,000 people are forecast to be living in London by 2021, and climate change will increase the likelihood of longer, hotter summers. As London's water company, we have a responsibility to ensure there is always plenty of water to go round. We need to be able to meet our customers' needs, even during a long-term drought. So in addition to reducing leakage and educating people how to use water wisely, we need to find new water sources. These will help increase certainty that we can supply all the water people in London need to use, whatever the circumstances.

Why are we treating water from the tidal Thames?

All of London's available fresh water supplies are already fully exploited. Our new treatment works takes water from the tidal part of the River Thames, which contains a mixture of salty and fresh water. We then remove the low level of salt to produce drinking water - a process called desalination. This stretch of the river provides a potentially limitless source of water, with minimal environmental impact and at an acceptable cost. The technology we are using is widely employed in many countries to remove salt from sea water. In this case, we are taking water from the river during the ebb tide, which significantly reduces the amount of salt to be taken out of the water. As the tide is on its way out, the proportion of fresh water is greater. The salt content is less than one-third that of seawater.

How the new treatment works will operate

Our main aim in building the treatment works is to ensure we have more water available during long periods of low rainfall. We will need to keep it 'ticking over' for part of the year so that it is in good working order and available for use when we need to increase its output. We anticipate only using the works at full capacity during periods of prolonged periods of low rainfall - typically during a drought. This is likely to be the only time at which some households receive all their water from the Thames Gateway works. When working at full capacity, the works will be capable of supplying 150 million litres of water per day - enough to supply about one million people or 400,000 households.

How the treatment process works

We begin by taking a mixture of salty and fresh water from the tidal River Thames, then treat it using various cleaning and filtering processes, as used in all our treatment works. We remove the salt using a process called reverse osmosis. This involves forcing the water at high pressure through very fine membranes, which hold back the salt and other molecules. The treated water is then re-mineralised so that it has similar properties to other local supplies. Following this, we purify the water to ensure it is safe to drink, before releasing it into our supply network.

Is this new technology?

No - desalination is a process used in many other countries. However, the technology we are using to remove the salt includes a four-stage filtration process, as opposed to the two or three stages in most similar works.  This will be more efficient, meaning that we can turn 85 per cent of the water we take from the Thames into drinking water, rather than the 50 per cent typical of other similar treatment works.

Which areas of London will receive water from the new treatment works?

When it is working at full capacity, the works will be supplying people in parts of the following London boroughs and district councils in and around north-east London:  Broxbourne, East Hertfordshire, Epping Forest, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.

Pac-Man found on Saturn moon Mimas by Nasa

Saturn moon Mimas looks just like the computer character Pac-Man in a thermal photo taken by a Nasa spacecraft.

The famous arcade character was revealed on the Saturn moon of Mimas, by the Cassini spaceship, which was mapping daytime temperature patterns. Mimas is about 250 miles in diameter, composed mostly of water-ice, and is most famous for having a crater - known as the Herschel Crater - that gives it the look of the Death Star from the Star Wars movies. Saturn has a staggering 62 moons altogether, with Titan being the largest. It's 50 per cent bigger than our own moon and is the only moon in the solar system known to have a dense atmosphere. The Cassini project is being run by Nasa, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency – and is operating until 2017.

Anger as rapist avoids deportation

The Tories and Liberal Democrats have called for an urgent explanation from the Government over how a convicted rapist facing deportation was allowed to stay in Britain to get married. A senior judge pointed to apparent confusion in the Home Office when making his decision over the case of Alphonse Semo, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo.  On Monday he won a High Court battle to remain in the UK for his wedding just hours before he was due to board a plane back to Africa. Mr Justice Collins said it was difficult to have any sympathy for Semo, who was jailed for eight years for raping a woman before throwing his victim on a rubbish tip. The judge said the Home Office had at first agreed to let the 53-year-old, from Deptford, south-east London, get married to his long-term partner, a German national. Then the wedding was effectively cancelled by a subsequent decision "by the same Home Office - no doubt by a different department". The judge said he was "very reluctant" to intervene - "but it seems to me the Home Office really cannot be allowed to play hot and cold". The judge said: "With considerable reluctance, I have to say he must be allowed to marry. That means there will be a prohibition against removing him." Shadow immigration minister Damian Green said: "The Home Secretary needs to explain urgently what happened in this case, with the Home Office seeming to contradict itself. Many people will be rightly angry that a convicted rapist can find ways to stay in this country when he has no right to be here." Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "The Home Secretary should have had Semo on the first flight out after his release. Until the left hand knows what the right is doing at the Home Office, we will not have a migration system fit for purpose. It's time to end the mismanagement."

Gales, snow and heavy rain in some parts of UK

Gales, snow and heavy rain have cut power from around 20,000 homes in Northern Ireland as severe weather warnings are issued for many parts of the UK.

The Hague to rule on Kenya 20

On Tuesday, the International Criminal Court rules on whether to investigate Kenya’s 20 key perpetrators of post-election violence. Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo is expected to appear before the Pre-trial Chamber to receive a verdict on whether he should go ahead with the Kenya case, which has become subject of international debate. If allowed to proceed, Mr Moreno-Ocampo is expected to conduct investigation against the 20, on whom he has said he has concrete incriminating evidence. The 20 influential politicians, power brokers and businessmen in PNU and ODM allegedly bankrolled the violence, in which more than 1,300 people were killed and over 500,000 displaced. On Tuesday, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Mutula Kilonzo said he was disappointed the matter had taken this long. - The Standard.

Car dealers are conning Kenyans of millions of shillings

Car dealers are conning Kenyans of millions of shillings by selling them vehicles which are older than the eight years recommended by law. Vehicles that are more than eight years are finding their way into the local market, investigations by the Kenya Revenue Authority and the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission have revealed.  According to the agencies, the vehicle importation racket masterminded by unscrupulous car dealers, has seen buyers pay high prices believing that the cars are less than eight years when they are actually 10 to 15 years old. The racket involves falsifying the vehicles’ documents including the bills of lading and the pre-shipment certificates that are supposed to confirm the year of manufacture. “The racketeers target top of the range vehicles including Toyota Prados, Land Cruisers, Pajeros which they later sell to influential businessmen and politicians,” a clearing agent conversant with the syndicate said.

Documents seen by the Nation show that some of vehicles are allowed into the local market after traders get exemptions for Pre-shipment Verification of Conformity which is mandatory for all imports. The PVOC ensures that imported goods conform with the Kenya Bureau of Standard requirements – that all motor vehicles entering the country are less than eight years. “When importers are exempted from the PVOC requirement it is very easy for them to bring into the country vehicles that are more than eight years,” the freight agent said on condition that he is not named. He said 50 to 100 vehicles in a week, which are more than eight years, are finding their way into the local market through falsified PVOCs and exemptions.A KRA official, Ms Yusuf Fatma, said detectives from the tax collector had raided a Mombasa vehicle showroom and intercepted four vehicles. She said the raid was carried out after post-clearance audit showed that the vehicles were more than eight years old. And, a KACC regional manager, Mr Mohammed Abdi, said their initial investigations showed that importers were using forged documents to clear vehicles that were more than eight years from the port. “They alter the date of manufacture on the foreign log book and forge the certificate of conformity,” he said.

Although some firms had stopped manufacturing some models more than 15 years ago, it was possible to see such models in the country with current registration numbers, he added.The KRA commissioner in charge of investigations, Mr Joseph Nduati, said the revenue body had introduced stringent measures to ensure vehicles that were not more than eight years did not enter the country. “We inspect vehicles before they are off-loaded from ships so that those that do not meet our standards are sent back to the ports of origin,” he said.In the past month, KRA has sent back about five ships with an undisclosed number of vehicles that did not meet local standards. He added that the four vehicles impounded last week by KRA could have arrived before the new measure was put in place. A system had been put in place that ensured that standards of any vehicle could be established even before they physically arrive in the country, he said. But, Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association chairman Gerald Kagumo said the syndicate involved importers, clearing agents, Kenya Bureau of Standards and KRA officers. The four vehicles impounded during the KRA raid were manufactured in 2000 although documents indicated the year of manufacture as 2002. - Daily Nation.

Life no longer the same with www.habari.tv.

Life no longer the same with www.habari.tv. My evenings have changed as I always enjoy watching Kenyan TV News. It was my best ever scenery on Citizen TV News on Friday evening showing Maasai Warriors chasing a lion in the bush. The lion knew that it's life was in danger and it was running away as the Maasai chased it like a dog. Finally they killed it. The lion has been coming to eat their animals at night and the Maasai have vowed to killed all the lions that are eating their animals. The best thing about www.habari.tv is that you watch several TV stations while whose in Kenya only manage to watch one. The stations include K24, Both Citizens TV in swahili and English, Both KBC TV swahili and english. This brings Kenya away from home.

Gospel Singer Ben Githae arriving in London on Wednesday

The popular Kenyan Gospel Singer Mr. Ben Githae arrives in London on Wednesday morning 31st March 2010 for a one month tour in UK. Githae will be performing in different towns during his tour. The singer will kick off on Sunday evening  4th April, 2010 where he will be joining other artists at Music extravaganza at IWRM Church in East London. This  will concluded the Four Day Easter Conference at IWRM which starts on Thursday 1st April 2010 - CLICK HERE FOR MORE

‘This is the happiest day of life’

"In March 1968," he starts, "while taking a journalism course in West Germany (now Germany), I befriended a local woman. She later gave birth to this man," he says pointing to Lund. His gaze shifts from his son to his wife. His voice falters and tears come streaming. "People always want to know their roots. And this is want Lund has done," he says, gathering himself together, "He has arrived home and is my seventh born. He is going to put up his house there," Kalegi interjects, as she points at a section of her compound. Odida proposes that Lund be named Kihira, after his late grandfather, as the son rises up to share his experiences about his search for his father. "In 2003, I decided to make an effort to meet my biological parents. I knew it was a daunting task, but I was determined and had some clues," he says. Lund adds that through the Internet and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation, which offers college scholarships to foreign students, he got to know that his biological father studied and worked in Germany. More crucially, he knew his father was Kenyan.  Odida once worked at the Kenyan Embassy in German as press attachÈ. When he returned to Kenya in late 1968, he worked as district information officer before moving to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from where he was posted to Germany as press attachÈ, before returning to Nairobi where he worked as an information officer until his retirement in 1990. But while Odida was enjoyed his sunset years, his son was struggling to locate him. "In 2004, I got my biological mother postal address. I wrote to her, but she replied and told me never to write to her. In short, she told me to sever links with her," explains Lund, with a tinge of sadness. He says that Silole Mpoke, a Kenyan who has been living in Copenhagen, Denmark, and a friend to his foster parents, now deceased, provided the link to Kakai Mugalo Advocates. Mpoke, a cultural-sociologist told Kissinger and Mugalo about Lund’s predicament. "I am very excited for Lund," Mpoke says.  Lund says he started the painstaking search for his father in Bearch-a town in Germany where Odida first lived. "I searched through around a library, and managed to get some important documents," he reveals. Kissinger and Mugalo started the investigation in October last year, and assured their client that they would do their best. They hired eight investigators to cover all the country’s provinces, and put adverts put in the local newspapers with the pictures of the old man. Odida failed to see the notices. The investigators’ big break came last December, when they got information that Odida’s home was somewhere near Kisumu. - The Standard.

Dane Jesen Lund cannot hide his joy after meeting his father, Emman Odida, who also never knew he had a son out of a relationship from his student days in Germany. Photo: James Keyi/Standard

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

M-PESA AGENT LOCATIONS IN UK

MPs banned from 1st Class rail tickets in sweeping expense changes

MPs will be barred from claiming expenses for second homes and will be limited to employing no more than one family member, under new rules unveiled on Monday 29th March, 2010. The new expenses scheme for the House of Commons drawn up by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) will come into effect immediately after the general election and will allow MPs only to claim for rented accommodation. MPs will not be eligible for accommodation expenses if any part of their constituency is within 20 miles of Westminster or inside a 60-minute commute by public transport. This will bar 128 MPs in the London area from claiming. MPs will also be banned from claiming for first-class rail journeys, said Ipsa chairman Sir Ian Kennedy. Launching the new system in Westminster today, Sir Ian said the maximum MPs will be allowed to claim for accommodation and constituency office costs each year will be cut from £56,915 to £40,957 for MPs outside the London area and from £40,192 to £26,915 for those in and around the capital. Sir Ian said: "The new system is fair, workable and transparent. It will enable MPs to carry out the job we ask them to do and will provide reassurance and value for money to the tax-paying public."  Sir Ian's scheme rows back in some respects from last year's review by Sir Christopher Kelly, who recommended a complete ban on employing relatives at taxpayers' expense. The one-employee limit will cover not only blood relatives and spouses, but also live-in cohabitees and financial partners. Sir Ian said: "No longer will MPs benefit from a slack allowances system. This system brings MPs' expenses into line with those in most other areas of life. "Expenses will be reimbursed only for legitimate costs, backed up by receipts."

Villagers of Kathiru in Embu East District were shocked last week when their trusted butcher confessed in court about the source of the meat that had made him popular. Nyaga had been their favourite butcher for years. There was dismay in the packed court when he explained how he came by the meat he sold so cheaply to the villagers.  "Meat is meat, judge," he declared. "If what people believe to be taboo meat was meant to kill, these villagers would all be dead."  The villagers heard that they had been feasting on skunks, monkeys and other wild animals.  Nyaga was an unorthodox butcher. He had no weighing machine and relied on his left hand to weigh meat. Villagers ended up with larger chunks than they would have bought at the nearby Runyenjes town. Besides, his prices were elastic. For instance, at the middle of the month he sold meat at half price. "I love you people and understand that these are difficult times," he would tell customers when they asked why he always reduced his prices at mid month. Above all, the villagers liked Nyaga because he sold meat on credit. He was very patient and some villagers, on learning about this ‘weakness’, promised to pay him when they received their annual tea bonus. Nyaga’s butchery became popular in the neighbouring villages. He even started rearing chickens in his backyard as his fortune grew. It was not long before he expanded his business premises and started a pub. It became popular with drunkards and idlers, especially youths. What particularly attracted the idlers was the cheap tasty soup and roast meat that were sold next to the pub. Then Nyaga started selling chicken meat. A Sh10 chunk of chicken meat was enough to add taste to fried githeri.

SOMEWHERE IN EMBU - "SOUP OF THE DAY - MBÎA, HUKO NA NÛGÛ"

"I used to make the rich soup with rats, moles and baboon limbs"

Villagers had never had it so good. However, one unlucky morning Nyaga’s trick was uncovered by a drunkard. Nyaga’s scouts had brought in the meat early in the morning. They passed by the drunkard who had slept in the trench overnight at the pub’s backyard and had just woken up. Marangu, the drunkard, was shocked to see what the boys had brought in.  He woke up and rushed to summon the villagers. The angry villagers gathered immediately and rushed to Nyaga’s place and forced their way in. They forced him to carry the game meat and marched him to the local police station. When Marangu was summoned by the court as a witness, he said, "Judge, I am not drunk today. In fact I vowed never to drink again when I saw what we used to eat as roasted meat. We did not eat roasted goat but roasted baboons." Nyaga pleaded guilty to the charges and even freely confessed like one possessed. "I used to make the rich soup with rats, moles and baboon limbs. Judge, I ask the court to forgive me." Outside the courtroom, some villagers vowed to become vegetarians there and then. - The Standard.

Kenya Boys Tour touring several UK towns in April 2010

The Kenyan Boys choir are coming for a UK tour in the month of April, 2010. They will be visiting several UK cities to present their beautiful performances. You can join them to see the talents from Kenya. You can book in advance.  Visit www.kenyanboyschoir.com then Click on the names and dates on the Tour Box below to ensure you don’t miss the Kenyan Boys Choir's remarkable 2010 tour.

Where the Kenya Boys Choirs will be performing

Milton Keynes: 01908 280800 - 6th April, 2010 at The Stables Theatre

Bradford: 01274 432000 - 8th April, 2010 at St. George's Concert Hall

Manchester: 0161 9079000 - 11th April at Bridgewater Hall

High Wycombe: 01494 512000 - 12th April at Wycombe Swan

Northampton: 01604 624811 - 14th April at Royal and Derngate

Rhyl: 01745 330000 - 15th April at Pavilion Theatre

Cardiff: 02920 878444 - 17th April at St. David's Hall

Inverness: 01463 234234 - 19th April, 2010 at Eden Court

Dublin: 00353 1 4170000 - 20th April, 2010 at National Concert Hall

Croydon: 0208 6889291 - 23rd April, 2010 at Fairfield Halls.

Murungi resigns as TJRC Vice Chair

The Vice Chairperson of the TJRC Betty Murungi has resigned. She quit her post over the controversy that has dogged the Commission due to the credibility of Chairman Bethuel Kiplagat.

The Vice Chairperson of the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission Betty Murungi Monday resigned over the controversy surrounding TJRC chair Bethuel Kipglat. Murungi had threatened to resign following the credibility crisis facing the commission. TJRC's Communications Consultant Kathleen Openda-Mvati confirmed the resignation but said Ms Murungi who is currently out of the country will remain a commissioner. In her communication dated Sunday and addressed to the Chair Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat and fellow Commissioners, Ms Murungi regretted that she was unable to continue " given the public position I have expressed with regards to matters facing the Commission's Chair". TJRC CEO and Secretary Ms Patricia Nyaundi said the Commission will await Ms Murungi's return to discuss the issues in her presence and elect her replacement later in the week.  She however clarified that no other Commissioners were contemplating resignation.  Nyaundi added that Ms Murungi had in her letter asked the Commission to elect another Commissioner to serve as Vice Chair but stated she would continue to serve as a Commissioner until they had resolved or concluded the internal processes regarding the matter. The new development resignation comes barely three days after Murungi and one of the foreign commissioners, Mr Ronald Slye told Kiplagat to quit over the allegations facing him to allow the commission continue with its work.  Kiplagat has been under pressure to quit for being part and parcel of the past regime that presided over injustices. He is also accused of illegally acquiring two pieces of land in Nairobi's Kileleshwa and Lavington estates and another parcel of land in Uasin Gishu district.  He is further named in the Parliamentary report on the inquiry into the murder of former Foreign Affairs minister, Dr Robert Ouko. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, of South Africa, last month led 10 former heads of truth commissions across the world in asking Mr Kiplagat to resign over his alleged involvement in the illegal acts.  The TJRC chair who has moved to court to clear his name has vowed to stay put and continue with his work. According to Section 11(2) of the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Act, the Vice Chair is elected by the Commissioners from amongst their number.

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Gold, Gold, gold and Gold for Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya, March 28 - Joseph Ebuya capped off one of the greatest days in Kenya’s cross country history by clinching the elusive individual senior men’s title in Bydgoszcz, Poland on Sunday 28th March, 2010. It was also a personal triumph for Emily Chebet who pipped her compatriot and favourite Linet Masai to the senior women’s crown following a tremendous burst of speed in the final metres to winning in a time of 24:19. Mercy Cherono lived up to her billing as the one to watch in the junior girls spearheading a Kenyan podium sweep while Caleb Mwangangi also a led a 1-2-3 finish in the junior men. It was the first time since 1994 that Kenya had secured all individual titles in all four categories. For Ebuya, it certainly was a day to remember as he ran the race of his life holding off runner up Teklemariam Medhin of Eritrea to bring the title back home since Paul Tergat in 1999. Ebuya who stamped his authority 200m into the race crossed the tape in approximately 33 minutes. Leonard Komon mounted a strong challenge to keep in touch with the race leaders but was just beaten to third place by Moses Kipsorio. The much hyped battle between Masai and Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba failed to materialize as the race was dominated by the Kenyan contingent. Kenya co-captain Lineth Chepkurui and Meselech Melkamu set the pace before proceedings were taken over by Masai and Chebet. Dibaba appeared to be struggling with the pace of the leaders and never really threatened as she finished in fourth place behind her compatriot Melkamu. Cherono was in a league of her own winning her race in a time of 18:47 ahead of silver medalist Purity Cherotich (18:54) and third place Esther Chemtai (18:55). Lat year’s winner Genzebe Dibaba finished in eleventh place. Mwangangi pulled away from the rest of the pack to win the junior men in a time of 22:07 while Clement Kiprono (22.09) and Japhet Kipyegon (22.12) finished second and third respectively. David Letting’s team may have retained its overall team title but Ebuya’s will also be certainly be fighting for space amongst Monday morning headlines.  - VIDEO

Kenya's Joseph Ebuya crosses the finish line to win the senior men's race at the 38th International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Cross Country Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, Sunday, March 28, 2010. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Czarek Sokolowski

RESULTS

Senior Men:

Joseph Ebuya –KEN (33:00)
Teklemariam Medhin-ERT  (33:06)
Moses Kipsiro-UGA (33.10) 
 
Senior Women:

Emily Chebet- KEN (24:19)
Linet Masai –KEN (24:20)
Meselech Melkamu (24:26)

Junior Men:

Caleb Mwangangi-KEN (22:07)
Clement Kiprono-KEN (22:09)
Japhet Kipyegon-KEN (22:12) 
 
Junior Women

Mercy Cherono- KEN (18:47)
Purity Cherotich-KEN (18:54)
Esther Chemtai- KEN (18:55)

IT WAS WIN  WIN WIN AND WIN

As the Kenya National Anthem was the only song across the field

Kenya sweeps all the titles at world cross country

Members of Kenya's team celebrate winning the senior women's race at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Bydgoszcz March 28, 2010.

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Few people gave it a second thought when criminals started coercing parties to give in to particular demands in exchange of their freedom. But the vice has metamorphosed into a major ‘business’ with gangs targeting the middle and upper classes and making ransom demands that run into millions of shillings. And with up to four kidnapping incidents being reported to police weekly, the force must be feeling the heat as families of the victims and indeed the entire nation has their eyes directed to the men in blue. Even if the Force has so far recorded some victories, especially during rescue operations, the challenge is enormous, as the crime is getting complex by the day. The gangs operate from undisclosed locations and demand between Sh500,000 and the latest Sh70 million depending on the apparent financial muscle or social standing of their prey. What is disturbing is the discrete, organised and sometimes flawless manner the abductors are operating to ensure they cover their tracks to avoid police dragnet. About 20 Nairobi residents have been abducted for ransom this year.  Big chunks of money are changing hands, and as security expert Simiyu Werunga says, the crime turns into a business the minute affected parties start paying ransom.  "Just ask those in Mexico City, in Baghdad or in Bogot·, Colombia," he adds. Blindfolds, safe houses, military-grade assault rifles and complex, well-practiced manoeuvres with cars to block in unsuspecting prey — they are all part of the emerging kidnapping syndicate. "Their appetite is growing," contends Werunga, a retired military man, "And if we do not manage it now, it has the potential to reach astronomical levels." It started in Nairobi’s Eastlands a few months ago, but has now spread to Thika, Nakuru, Kiambu, Machakos and other neighbouring towns.

And the rate at which the crime is rising is so alarming some parents have been forced to withdraw their children from schools in affected areas opting for safer regions. How long those areas will remain safe is debatable. When it started, the gangs were targeting children and later calling their parents to demand ransom, which in some cases were delivered at specific agreed places. But that has since changed and they are now targeting wealthy individuals. The abduction rings, operating from estates, have been snatching people off the streets, at ATM machines and restaurants as well as children walking to or from school.  The consequence of failing to pay ransom can be dire, sometimes a painful death as was the case of six-year-old Emanuel Aguer, a Sudan national, who was slaughtered after his parents failed to raise Sh5,000 that was demanded. The Thursday rescue of a three-year-old girl after four days in the hands of kidnappers in Dandora illustrates the heights the gangs are willing to go and the society’s helplessness in the face of the crime. The girl was kidnapped from Kahawa West on Monday and Sh200,000 ransom placed for her release before police struck and arrested five people, including two women said to be its kingpins. Meanwhile, two women who were kidnapped in Embakasi last weekend remain in the hands of abductors who are demanding Sh2 million from their families. Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere describes the situation as a threatening crime, but which he said is unacceptable and vowed to crush. Mr Iteere said: "With the use of illegally acquired weapons, kidnappings are emerging as a threat. But let me assure Kenyans that police are now better equipped to handle the menace." Insiders told The Standard On Sunday that the Force is not taking the matter lightly and that the commissioner has given orders to police commanders to ensure masterminds of the crime are dealt with accordingly.

Rescuing victims

A special team of detectives within the Flying Squad has been detailed to ensure they promptly act on any kidnapping case reported to them. The team liaises with another group based at Criminal Investigations Department headquarters in operations aimed at rescuing victims and ensuring those behind it are either arrested or killed depending on the circumstances. Apart from the Flying Squad team, another group of detectives from the Special Crimes Prevention Unit has been trained on rescue operations especially of kidnap victims. "The Government is serious on this problem and all formation commanders in the most affected areas have been informed that these criminals must be dealt with within the shortest time possible," said a police source who sought anonymity. The commanders have since ordered OCSs to intensify operations on major criminal gangs, especially Mungiki whom police believe are behind the incidents. Nairobi Area PPO Antony Kibuchi told The Standard On Sunday the Force would not take chance with the kidnappers, saying they will use "all means available to contain them". "Let them be warned that we are now better equipped and ready to face them. We will use all ways in efforts to address the situation," Kibuchi said. In the past year alone, police have killed 30 suspected kidnappers in Nairobi, Nakuru and Mombasa and rescued a few victims. Kidnappers have on the other hand killed at least eight victims in the same period, the latest being Kiambu businessman Michael Mwaura Njenga, 67, who was murdered last Wednesday, days after he was kidnapped. Iteere now wants the public to play a major role in solving the problem by giving authorities information that would assist stop the cartels. "It is incumbent upon every citizen to propagate and protect legal means of creating wealth and to insist on the recourse to legitimate institutions of society for their individual and collective needs," he said. He added police have the capacity to investigate and handle all those cases contrary to what some people believe. - Sunday Nation.

"Give without expecting it back..." - Pastor Thuku, CCBC Swahili Service, London

IN THE YEAR 2010

Realise that nothing is impossible

LESSONS OF LIFE: "Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present." - Regina Brett, 90 years old

Was this the world's first-ever cycle?

 A Chinese historian has recreated what he claims was the first pedal-powered cycle ever invented - which he says was in use over 2,000 years before the first western bicycle.  Academic Xu Quan Long has taken his bizarre contraption to the streets of Beijing to show people his discovery - which has raised more than a few eyebrows with other road users. 'It is quite slow and looks like very hard work to steer and control,' said one of the large, wooden device, whichrequires complicated gearing to allow it to even move. Xu said he stumbled across the discovery while studying the works of legendary ancient Chinese inventor Lu Ban, who was born more than 2,500 years ago. Lu is credited with inventing devastating military weapons like a counterweighted 'cloud ladder' for storming castle defences, and a 'wooden bird' that could supposedly glide for three days without landing.  The earliest verified examples of cycle-type devices weren't developed until to 19th century - first in the form of the 'draisine' or 'velocipede', a walking-powered two-wheeled device invented by German engineer Baron Karl von Drais  in 1817, and briefly popular with dandies. A variety of pedal-powered devices with varying numbers of wheels appeared over the next few decades, but it wasn't until the invention of the metal-framed 'boneshakers' in France in the 1860s that cycling really began to achieve any popularity.  But Xu now wants to challenge the accepted history, and is asking Chinese government officials to recognise Lu Ban as the cycle's true inventor.

"You grow old because you stop laughing!!!"

Snow on the way in UK

Sunday 28th March, 2010. It may be British Summer Time - but a wintry blast is on the way, forecasters warned. There will be a brief cold snap on Tuesday and Wednesday, with snow expected on high ground in northern parts of Britain, said Julian Mayes, senior forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association. He said: "It's turning very unsettled and we expect a two-day cold snap on Tuesday and Wednesday, which is going to give quite a surprise to many people after the recent mild weather. "The current charts suggest it's going to be fairly shortlived in the south, with the worst of the cold winds and risk of snow being on the northern hills. "On Tuesday, we expect to see rain or showers over most of Britain, with strong northerly winds over Scotland turning the rain to snow there in some places. "Tuesday night looks like being a very cold night, particularly over Scotland and Ireland, with snow on high ground and rain at lower levels. "But even if people miss the snow, it's going to be cold and windy and wet. "On Wednesday, there is the likelihood of snow on high ground in Scotland - approaching blizzard conditions on the highest ground. "That night it will be still very windy and cold with showers or longer spells of rain, then on Thursday there should be some sunshine for some areas, with winds from the north west rather than the north - we'll be beginning to come out of it by then. "It should be milder by Friday, with rain coming in from the south west, but unfortunately it does look an unsettled picture over the Easter weekend."

The innocent Kenyan girl was left to pay for the scandal

"She was a good care worker, always punctual and honest in her duty"

By Derek Otieno

Behind these walls and curtains, Victor Ayinde-Azeez and Ruth Wambui Ayinde-Azeez staged one of the most daring acts of fraud and scam in the United Kingdom. From this address in one of the most secure neighbourhoods in the Great Britain, a cabal of fraudsters used the ‘safe’ area status of Pinner in Harrow, North West London to engage in a crime that has come to engage the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) of the Scotland Yard, in a lengthy investigation covering 15 countries. They feathered this nest with the best that money could buy - the latest upholstery and furniture and lavished champagne and caviar parties straight from a James Bond Hollywood blockbuster script. From this address, they drove their latest acquisition of cars to catch planes in nearby Heathrow Airport to spend their ill-gotten wealth and celebrity status in Spain, Portugal and Southern France. Having a 72’ Sony plasma TV in a house is very good, but having 12 in a six-bedroom house is asking for too much from someone waking up in the morning to go to a care home and look after a pensioner. From the receipts found by the investigating team, buying a new kitchen and furniture in one day from London’s most exclusive store is pushing class to new heights.  For the family weekend outing, they enjoyed the luxury of the most expensive hotels and restaurants in London, in the comfort of the top-of-the-range Bentleys, BMW X5, Land Rovers and Mercedes Benz. However, the Mercs cannot be traced. Meticulously planned with military precision, the band of friends and fraudsters exploited Ruth’s naiveté to squirrel more than 6 million with clear hits targeting UK commercial banks in what now seems to be a scam of cataclysmic proportions that still engages the former colleagues of the Kenya-born nursing assistant at an elderly people care home in Barnet, North London. 

The Bentley which was found at Victor Ayinde-Azeez and Ruth Wambui Ayinde-Azeez in Pinner, North West London - it is worth more than £150,000

In a typical fraud sting operation, the gang managed to scoop 6 million in as many weeks and when rambled on by the SOCA, Ruth has been left to pay for the wages of the sin, allegedly committed by the gang. Inside this address in an area where even common and petty crimes like mugging and robbery are unheard of – Pinner last had a murder in 2000, completely unheard of in the UK- with a group of associates organised a mission that would lead Kenyan born Ruth to a life of penury after completing her 4 years in jail. After their marriage at the St John the Baptist Church in Pinner on 11 August 2007, the gang, apparently exploited her ‘safe’ credit status to use her account to channel the cash from the banks, ostensibly using the account that could not raise any shreds of detection. “She was a good care worker. Always punctual and honest in her duty. She was a lovely lady at work and someone people took to be a good person to relate with. The husband was friendly and looked to be a loving family man. We all knew the couple. They were friendly and to me, they looked okay,” says Marion, a senior colleague at the care home. However, what struck many was the sudden change in life and the new status that she acquired at one time during the young marriage. Perhaps, this could have led to the interest from her colleagues, or might have blown her cover. As a care assistant, driving a used Rover or Vauxhall, which at one time, even the husband owned, was an achievement. But driving the latest model of Bentley, related to David Beckham and Wayne Rooney and other soccer stars who earn more than 100,000 a week, was simply blowing away the cover for someone working for 240 a week. “I think it was a little bit over the top. People talked about it, but here, everybody keeps to himself or herself and that is as far as it went,” says Marion, not real name.

Victor Ayinde-Azeez and Ruth Wambui Ayinde-Azeez multi milti-million house in Pinner

Ruth at first told colleagues that the husband, who also worked as care worker while a student, had found a new job and was from a rich Nigerian family where his father is ‘chief’ and he is in line to inherit a lot of cash from their oil field proceeds.  In the quick-fire acquisitions of property in London’s South East, the Nigerian born Victor bought 22 houses in the period of the scam, took out mortgages from banks including Bradford and Bingley and Abbey National (now Santander) using the title deeds using crooked solicitors. The solicitors do not exist, further complicating the investigations that saw a large chunk of the money pass through Ruth’s account. At the time of her arrest, she had just received a message from the husband in a foreign land that police were on the way. She could not react to the message and ended up in police hands, where she has been since, after all her travel documents were withdrawn from her. At the time of arrest, she had 1.6 million in the account, but many are questioning why she had all the cash in the bank if she was really part of the gang. And, why could she not withdraw it and put it in a safe account or even bank in a friend’s account. Questions linger.  Police, on the other hand have been unable to get Victor and efforts by Interpol to locate him have neither been successful. Ruth’s family and friends in London say that he has not communicated; even using the friends she might have known. “The man has not even sent a message. Of course he cannot make any contact, nobody knows where he is and being that police are on his case and they will pick up any conversations. He is somewhere, but the police have not managed to find him or members of the gang,” said a former colleague who spoke on a Kenyan social forum.   Despite all that, the Judge hearing the case Justice Martin Beddoe has told her to expect a sentence, even without a guilty plea. With it, and like all cases of property acquired through crime and criminal activities, she stands to loose everything in her life, including her face.

"You can't forgive what you refuse to remember, any more than you can seek treatment for a disease whose symptoms you have yet to notice." - Carol Luebering - Finding A Way To Forgive (article, CareNotes)

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MORTGAGE SCANDALS IN THE UK

By Derek Otieno

In the UK, organised crime syndicates have been targeting residential and commercial property in increasingly sophisticated mortgage frauds using corrupt or compromised professional advisers, experts are warning. The slow-down in house prices, exacerbated by the  economic slow-down and the recession following the credit crunch, has expose multi-million-pound frauds involving hugely overvalued and, in thousands of cases, deteriorating properties that could leave the market highly unstable. There is growing concern that there has been a systematic attack on the mortgage system by linked frauds. The Serious and Organised Crime Agency says that gangs are using corrupt or negligent solicitors, accountants and financial advisers as part of a fraud “infrastructure”, while the Serious Fraud Office has raided several offices, including law firms, as part of its investigation into an alleged multimillion-pound mortgage ring in the Midlands. The Financial Services Authority, which has been investigating poor lending practices in the sub-prime market, set up an early warning system on possible frauds with lenders. It has received about 200 tip-offs, 32 of which were strong enough to warrant further investigation.

Warning signs that solicitors are being sucked into facilitating mortgage fraud some knowingly, others through ignorance or negligence are there, as in Ruth’s case, where all paper work was by none-existing solicitors.  A leading solicitor in this Ruth’s case says: “The opportunities for fraud have been fuelled by aggressive lending strategies by banks seeking market share. The sub-prime, buy-to-let and new-build sectors have been key targets of the fraudsters, who have also turned their attention to the commercial sector.” Key features, he says, include widespread use of forged or stolen identity documentation; the use of internet-based sites to create fraudulent lending applications; the use of “mortgage mules”, who lend their identity for a fraudulent transaction in return for money; and the systematic bribery and intimidation of professionals, including valuers, lawyers and accountants.Crime gangs have used the opportunity to establish their own trusted panels of professionals to facilitate the frauds, he says. The scam begins when the fraudsters recruit a mortgage mule to buy their property, knowing lenders will typically offer offer 90 per cent loan to value ratios. Their tame valuer overvalues the property by anything from 30 to 100 per cent. The transaction goes through with the help of the solicitor. The borrower doesn’t pay the mortgage and the property is repossessed and put up for sale when another gang member buys it and starts the cycle again. He has experience of half a dozen gangs, of various nationalities. “Mortgage fraud gives street-level criminals access to more sophisticated revenue-producing scams than they dreamt of ten years ago,” he says. “But it will be effectively dealt with only by a coordinated response, which has not yet happened in the UK.”

New gadget to curb road carnage

Efforts by traffic police to restore sanity on the Kenyan roads went a notch higher with the officers using a new gadget to rein in on rogue motorists.  Police Commissioner Matthew Iteere and traffic officers mounted a crackdown using the new gadget catching many motorists unawares.  The digital video recorder which was under testing on Uhuru highway captured reckless drivers particularly those of public service vehicles.   The manufacturer of the new gadgets, Radar Auto vision said should the new technology be adopted on our roads, police would have it easy in enforcing traffic rules.  Passengers traveling in the vehicles netted during the testing of the new technology, lauded the move saying it might bring to an end the increasing number of road accidents. The  technology works just like CCTV where the digital video recorder is mounted on the road and can detect speeding vehicles even as far as a kilometre away, the gadget captures the details of the vehicle which in turn is used to facilitate prosecution of the driver.  The gadget can record traffic flow for 40 hours with the capability to record and review stored data. This device is currently in use in Angola, South Africa, china, UK and Botswana. There have been concerns over the increasing road accidents across the country. The government has been under  pressure to enforce the famous 'michuki rules' which are being flouted by matatu drivers. Over 80 percent of road accidents in Kenya have been attributed to human error.

Over 80 percent of road accidents in Kenya have been attributed to human error.

NSSF lady cleaner, 25, raped and killed in bathroom

NSSF bosses quizzed for murder after a cleaner was found raped and killed in the bathroom - MORE

How to read a licence plate in UK

With the move to the '10' number plate, the vehicle registration format has changed slightly. Introduced in September 2001, the current scheme of letters and numbers adorning UK cars was designed so that plates could be recognised quickly and easily. It'll remain until 2051 too, so it's a good idea to figure it out. Compared to the last plates, which were an entirely random sequence of numbers and letters except for the first, age-defining letter, it is true that they're more recognisable.  That's dependent on understanding how they're formed, however. This quick guide will show you how.

Area code:

The current number plate format is a seven-figure system using two letters, two numbers, and then three further letters. The first two letters denote the locale of the DVLA office where the car was first registered. The idea is that you'll largely drive in the same locality among cars from the same area, thus becoming familiar with the letters representing your area. It also means those from other areas stand out more, and are therefore easier to remember.  It's mostly obvious what the letters represent, though not always. The first letter denotes a wider county or area - so N is North and L is London - and the second is the 'local office identifier'. Less obvious letters include the Kent and Sussex area, which begins with G, for 'Garden of England', and V for the Severn Valley.

Age identifier:

The two numbers are again based on the same principle of shortness and familiarity making them easier to learn - a technique called mnemonics. They identify the age of the car, and change twice per year: March and September. March plates show the year itself, so 2002 becomes 02, 2003 becomes 03, and 2010 becomes 10 and so on. September plates are slightly more confusing. Until September 2009 they had 50 added to the year, so September 2002 was 52, September 2003 was 53, etc. From September this year (2010), they'll have 60 added. That means the next registration will be 60, followed by 61 in 2011.

Random letters:

These three random letters distinguish individual cars registered at the same DVLA office. Rude or offensive sequences are, of course, banned. And letters I and Q aren't ever used due to potential confusion with the numbers 1 and 0.

Memorial service for Mrs. Phillemina Mugure Njoroge on 03/04/2010

Mrs. Phillemina Mugure Njoroge wife of Mr. George Njoroge Macharia of Nairobi Projectors passed away on Monday 22nd March 2010 at M.P. Shah Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. She is mother to Penninah Wangui Njoroge (UK), James Macharia (Kenya), Patrick Mwaura Njoroge (UK) and Miss Anabel Wambui (Kenya). Last time she was in London she attended CCBC Swahili Service Church in London. Family and friends are meeting in Kenya and in London for prayers. Contact in Kenya is Pastor Loise Gitahi 0721720632 and contact in UK is Mary Muthoni 07512555060, Esther Wanjiku  or 07590264745. The burial will take place on Saturday 3rd April, 2010 at Tumaini, Nyandarua, Kenya. She was the chairlady of Maendeleo ya Wanawake, Central Province. The memorial service in London takes place on Saturday 3rd pril, 2010  at CCBC, Swahili Service, Greatfield Temple, King Edward Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 7TR as from 6.00 p.m.

Kenya MPs going nowhere with draft constitution

Nairobi, Kenya. Members of Parliament are staring defeat in the face in their quest to introduce amendments to the draft constitution which requires at least 145 of them voting to pass each of the more than 50 changes they wish to make by the close of business on Thursday. The window of opportunity for the House to make changes closes on Thursday, the last day allowed in law for MPs to make any changes to the draft prepared by the Committee of Experts. Groups of MPs have been holding a series of closed-door meetings as they seek to lobby their colleagues to adopt common positions on the clauses they would like changed in the draft. The subjects that have attracted proposed amendments include devolution and the role the Prime Minister will play in the period between the enactment of the new constitution and the next elections, whether to throw out or retain kadhis’ courts and the emotive abortion debate. Apart from the hurdle MPs face in raising the necessary majority to change the draft, much of the 30-day period the law granted them has elapsed, and they only have three parliamentary days — Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — to make a change. But even if they made their desired amendments, the Committee of Experts, envisaged to be the “custodians of public interest” by the law that created it, still reserves the right to alter or throw out altogether the changes the MPs may make.

And then there is the Interim Independent Constitutional Dispute Resolution Court. If MPs suggest amendments that may be perceived to be against public interest, any Kenyan can petition the court to strike them. The court which was sworn in by President Kibaki in January includes judges Sankale ole Kantai, Mburugu M’Nkanata Kioga, Violet Khadi Mavisi, Scholastica Omondi, Jamila Mohamed and Michel Bastarache (Canada), Unity Dow (Botswana) and Justice Alistair Cameron of the United Kingdom. The court has exclusive and original jurisdiction to handle and resolve disputes related to the Constitution of Kenya review. Parliament is currently split over the proposed new constitution with some MPs pushing for it to be passed unaltered, while others are calling for amendments but face the Herculean task of lobbying their colleagues to support such changes. MPs allied to Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Agriculture minister William Ruto have been holding a series of behind-the-scenes meetings to lobby support for certain amendments, but nothing solid had emerged from their efforts by Saturday night. Lawyers say the drafters anticipated mischief and sought to shield the constitutional revision from parochial interests. The MPs must also be careful to ensure that the amendments are in tune with the objects and principles of the review, the Review Act says.So far, MPs have proposed 50 amendments to the draft law. “What I learnt that makes me happy is that it is self-propelled. It has an engine that moves forward. Even if we make a lot of debate and try so many things, it will go on anyway. I am glad. I am celebrating this thing that will go on anyway,” said Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’.A number of MPs have proposed changes to clauses touching on abortion, devolution, kadhis’ courts, Bill of Rights and land. MORE

Nairobi, Saturday 27th March, 2010. Nairobi lawyer Kenneth Akide is the new Law Society of Kenya chairman. Akide who was elected Saturday now replaces Okong'o Omogeni, who has been at the helm of the society for two terms. Akide beat Kisumu-based lawyer Mr James Mwamu and long serving council member Mr Evans Monari to emerge the winner. The announcement of the new chairman was done at Saturday's annual general meeting. The exercise was however marred by claims of vote rigging and other irregularities. In January some of the candidates had  raised the red flag over the conduct of the polls but  LSK secretary Apollo Mboya refuted the allegations. The society posted ballots for the election of the chairman, the vice-chairman and council members on December 21, last year. Over 3,500 lawyers began casting their votes in an election which has attracted three contenders for the top seat.

To Achieve Your Dreams, Remember your A to Z

Women hold demo over abortion clause

Kadhi courts

Elsewhere, Members of Parliament from the Muslim community have termed those opposed to the Kadhis courts as self seekers. Speaking in Lamu, the leaders said the inclusion of Kadhi courts affects only Muslim community members who prescribe to the faith. The inclusion of Kadhi courts in the new constitution has caused a religious rift with Christians adamant that the Kadhi courts should not be entrenched in the constitution. But while on a tour of Lamu, coast parliamentarians urged Christians not to reject the proposed new constitution. The muslim leaders  called for sobriety, so that Kenyans can have a new constitution that has eluded them for two decades now

MOVING TO ANOTHER LEVEL

Mr. James Murichu Muigai graduated with a Masters degree in Public Health on Friday the 26th March 2010 at Bedfordshire University (Postgraduate Medical School), United Kingdom. From left is James Murichu outside the graduation hall after receiving his award where he achieved a commendation while on centre Mary Murichu celebrates with his hubby after the graduation and on right is from left is Shiro a friend, Vivian Wanjiru (Cousin) and Shammila.

World record of the man with biggest boobs

A Chinese farmer has the world's biggest set of man boobs,, say doctors.  Busty Guo Feng, 53, is desperately seeking a solution to his massive moobs as they get in the way of his manual work.  And fascinated locals queue up at his dairy farm to point and laugh — forcing him to wear a heavy coat at all times, even in hot weather.  Mr Feng said: "About ten years ago my chest started to get larger but I didn't think much of it as I was putting on weight all over.  "But in the last few years it's become unbearable and I have been from one hospital to the other with nobody able to help me.  "I have spent all my money on examinations and tests and am still no nearer a solution — in fact my breasts are now bigger than ever.  "I sometimes think the doctors don't want to help me with this because they find me a medical curiosity."  Dr Zhang Lilan at the Jinan Chest Hospital in Beijing said he had never seen anything like it in 30 years as a specialist.  He said: "The man is in every way male except for his enormous breasts.  "He is a farmer and says they are extremely uncomfortable as he has to do a lot of manual work and they get in the way of everything.  "We wondered if he had eaten any poisons or contaminants but have found nothing after testing his blood. His genetic material is also normal. It is not a cancer.  "It seems to be fatty tissue. The best we can suggest is that it is the biggest case of man boobs ever."  Mr Feng is so distressed by his condition, he says he will cut off his moobs himself if no one can help.  But doctors say they will not act until they have identified what the problem is.

Checks ... farmer at Jinan Chest Hospital

Audio slideshow: 'Enchanted' Kensington Palace

A magical spell has been cast over the State Apartments at Kensington Palace - not to be broken until 2012. Whilst building work is carried out in parts of the building, actors and designers - including Vivienne Westwood - have transformed other palace rooms, to tell the stories of the Royals who used to live there. Take a tour with Bill Mitchell of theatre company Wildworks, palace curator Joanna Marschner, and fashion designer William Tempest. - VIDEO

A UK ticket wins £39.7m in Lottery

A UK ticketholder has scooped £39.7m in Friday's EuroMillions draw, the National Lottery has said. The prize is the game's fourth highest for a UK ticket and comes a month after a Gloucestershire couple won £56m - Britain's biggest lottery prize. National Lottery operator Camelot said, subject to validation, the money could be paid out when banks open on Monday. The winning numbers were 8, 16, 18, 37, 43, and the Lucky Star numbers were 2 and 6. In February, property maintenance man Nigel Page, 43, and Justine Laycock, 41, who live near Cirencester, won a record-breaking £56m in the EuroMillions draw. Their jackpot surpassed the £91m paid out in November last year, which was shared between two UK tickets. Les Scadding, 53, and wife Samantha Peachey-Scadding, 38, from Caerleon, south Wales, pocketed £45.5m. And a further £45.5m was won in the same draw by a syndicate of seven IT workers at Hewlett Packard in Liverpool. Dubbed the "Magnificent Seven", they each banked £6.5m. Across Europe, the record EuroMillions win is £113m by a single ticket-holder from Spain last May. EuroMillions is played in nine countries - the UK, France, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Irish Republic, Portugal and Switzerland.

A Kenyan man in London jailed for 16.5 years for dangerous driving

A 24 years old Kenyan man by the name Aloise Mburu, has been jailed for 16.5 years for causing death by dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and driving a motor vehicle without an insurance. He was convicted for 8 years Aloise Mburu appeared before Southwark Inner Crown Court London on Friday 26th March, 2010  and pleaded guilty to the three counts and admitted causing the  death of Perpetua Wendy Muthoni Muchemi aka Shiko and Tabitha Shiro Njenga aka Michele on 25th July 2009 along Forest Lane, Statford, London. During his judgement, the judge said there is no enough amount of years that can compensate the tragic loss of the two young women who were at the prime of their lives. Perpetua was a student at University of Westminster where she was pursuing a degree in Social work. Tabitha was a second year student at Cambridge University. The parents of Pep Wendy, Steven Muchemi Njoroge and Ruth Waruchu Mwangi and their friends were in court. Addressing members of press they said: "We wish that no other family have to suffer and endure the loss of a loved one, as a result of dangerous and drink driving" "In the past we would read things in the newspaper, but always thought it would never happen to us, but it is important for society to know it can happen to anyone". "The pain and hurt that we as a family carry will be with us for life. It is a sentence that has no remission" "As a parent, you hope and believe that you will outlive your children and, although we appreciate that in some instances this is not possible due to illness, it is crueller when their life is taken by the actions of another person." We the parents of Pep Wendy would like to forgive Aloise Mburu but the wound is so painful. We feel numb, paralysed by grief and pain. If only we could turn back the clock? If only we could know what she said in her last moment on earth?

"We wish that no other family have to suffer such a loss"

The victim of the accident Tabitha Shiro Njenga aka Michele (left) and Perpetua Wendy Muthoni Muchemi aka Shik (centre) on 25th July 2009 and the parents of Perpetua Wendy on right photo - Wendy mother far right with red jacket and the on right with a white shirt.

Nairobi, Friday 26th March, 2010. Former powerful cabinet minister Joseph Kamotho walked away from the court corridors millions of shillings richer after the court of appeal upheld a compensation fine imposed on the Nation Media Group (NMG) for defaming him. The court threw out NMG's appeal saying it had no merit and upheld a 14 million shillings fine ordered by the high court. NMG had appealed against a July 2005 ruling by judge Jacton Ojwang which awarded Kamotho and his three sons the compensation. The four had moved to the high court alleging that NMG through its Radio station had alleged that Kamotho's sons had caused an accident in Westlands, Nairobi and that when they were arrested they called their father who used his influence to bail them out. Friday's ruling may see NMG paying over 20 million shillings as it was also ordered to pay a five year interest on the initial fine.And at Milimani court, the recounting of votes and scrutiny of the voting process for Wajir South parliamentary seat ended Friday. Wajir South MP Hassan Abdi is leading with 4,450 votes while the petitioner Mohamed Sirat is trailing with 3,960.Elsewhere three bank managers pleaded not guilty to charges of stealing over 29 million shillings. The three were alleged to have stolen the money on diverse dates between 19-21 March this year at Credit Bank. They were released on cash bails of 150,000 shillings each.

Nairobi, Kenya, March 26 - Kenya has declined to receive three suspected Somali pirates and one corpse held by an Italian warship at the port of Mombasa, arguing that its prison and court systems were overwhelmed. Police on Friday said a decision had been reached within government ranks to ensure “no more piracy suspects will be tried in the country because it is already overwhelmed.

Muslims kill Christians in Jos, Nigeria

BE CAREFUL WHEN OPENING THE PHOTOS BELOW - THEY ARE DISTURBING

Hundreds of Christians, including many women and children, were killed in ethnic violence near the city of Jos in Nigeria at the weekend, officials say.  They said villages had been attacked by men with machetes who came from nearby hills. Troops have now been deployed in the area and dozens of arrests are said to have been made. Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered security forces to prevent more weapons being brought into the area. He has also sacked the country's national security adviser, Sarki Mukhtar. Jos has been under a military curfew since January when at least 200 people died in clashes between Christians and Muslims. The latest attacks, on members of the mainly Christian Berom community, are said to have been reprisals for the January killings. The authorities say the villages are now calm after troops and military vehicles entered them. An adviser to the Christian-dominated Plateau state government, Dan Manjang, told AFP: "We have been able to make 95 arrests but at the same time over 500 people have been killed in this heinous act." Another Plateau state official, Gregory Yenlong, urged people to "remain calm and be patient as the government steps up security to protect lives and property in this state". Many of the dead in the villages of Zot and Dogo-Nahawa are reported to be women and children. Chief Gabriel Gyang Bot, from nearby Shen, told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that people in his village feared more attacks. He said he had received text messages from people who claimed responsibility for the weekend attacks and had threatened to return.

Mark Lipdo, from the Christian charity Stefanos Foundation, said Zot village had been almost wiped out. He said: "We saw mainly those who are helpless, like small children and then the older men, who cannot run, these were the ones that were slaughtered." A resident of Dogo-Nahawa said that the attackers had fired guns as they entered the village before dawn on Sunday in defiance of a curfew. "The shooting was just meant to bring people from their houses and then when people came out they started cutting them with machetes," Peter Jang told Reuters news agency. Some witnesses said villagers were caught in fishing nets and animal traps as they tried to escape and were then hacked to death. Mud huts were also set on fire. Mass burials took place on Sunday and scores more bodies were laid out in the streets of the three attacked villages, awaiting further burials on Monday. Figures given for the death tolls in the ethnic clashes have varied widely, sometimes to achieve political ends or to reduce the risk of reprisals, or simply because victims are buried quickly. Jos lies between the mainly Muslim north of Nigeria and its largely Christian south. Analysts say the latest attack seems to be in reprisal for clashes in January, which claimed the lives of at least 200 people and displaced thousands of others. Hundreds of people have fled from Jos in the aftermath of the fighting, the International Committee of the Red Cross says. The clashes represent a challenge for Acting President Jonathan. He formally took over last month from President Umaru Yar'Adua, who has a heart problem. Mr Yar'Adua returned from three months of treatment in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago but has still not been seen in public.  - THE PHOTOS ARE DISTURBING PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN OPENNING.

The Kenya National Cohesion and Integration Commission visit in Belfast City

Jane Kiano, Patrick Yu, Director of Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities, Halakhe Wako

The Kenya National Cohesion and Integration Commission visited Belfast City, Northern Ireland  on 17th and 18th of March 2010. The two day official tour included fact finding tours from the Police Service of Northern Ireland - to learn how the police and public work together in addressing hate crime, sectarianism and race related crimes and how this community relationship between police and the public can benefit the Kenyan Cohesion Commission. The Commissioners also made keynote speeches at the University of Ulster's Transitional Justice Institute where they addresses some of the successes and challenges that may face the work of the commission in the future.  Commissioner Kiano said that unlike the other commissions created after the National Accord, the National Intergration one was a permanent body. She is spoke of the independence of the commission from interference by the executive, parliament or judiciary. The group comprised of Commissioner Jane Kiano, Commissioner Mr. Halakhe D. Waqo and the First Councillor, Kenya High Commission London, Mr. Jeremy Laibutah.. Addressing the Kenyan Association of Northern Ireland, the commissioners . The Chair of the Kenyan Association of Northern Ireland, KANI  Mr. Elly Omondi Odhiambo and its coordinator Mr. Peter Gitari, welcomed the visitors.

Commissioners Jane Kiano and Halakhe Wako and the Kenyan Association of Northern Ireland, KANI  and on right Kenyans in Northern Ireland

Disgusting racism from Barking BNP -- help stop them this Sunday!

The BNP's leader in Barking faces suspension from the council for his disgusting racist comments attacking black children. Bob Bailey, who is heading up the BNP's election campaign in London, was trying to stop a Nigerian church from meeting in Barking & Dagenham. He told a planning committee: "These people eat of the ground. We don't want the amount of black children."

Robber's Financial Planning Ends In Arrest

The ten minute advance warning allowed bank staff to alert police who rushed to the scene to find the robbery in full swing. Police in Connecticut arrested 27-year-old Albert Bailey and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named, on robbery and threatening charges at a People's United Bank branch in the town of Fairfield. Detective Lieutenant Michael Gagner, of the Fairfield Police Department, said: "I've heard of drive-up robberies where they rob the bank via drive-up windows, but I've never had somebody call ahead and say, 'Get the money, we're coming.'" Authorities said a bank employee received a phone call from a person demanding that $100,000, nearly £70,000, in large bills be gathered, or there would be a "blood bath" if the orders were not carried out.

The employee hung up the phone, immediately called 911, and locked down the bank but not before the caller's accomplice was already inside, Det Lt Gagner said. The accomplice handed a teller a note demanding money at the exact same time the bank employee was talking on the phone to the police. "The guy is literally giving us a blow-by-blow, saying the robbery is going down," Det Lt Gagner said. After passing the note and collecting about $900, the suspect asked to be let out of the bank and walked into several waiting police officers who ordered him to stop. The suspect then tried to run to the car where the other suspect was waiting. Both were arrested without incident. After his arrest, it transpired that Bailey is on probation for another bank hold-up several years ago. The hapless robbers were also covered in green dye after a security pack placed in the money was set off after they dropped their swag bag on the ground.

Migration Advisory Committee publishes recommendations for shortage occupation list

Home Office, 26 March 2010

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published its latest report, making recommendations based on its third partial review of the shortage occupation lists for the UK and for Scotland. The MAC recommends that the pharmacists category on the UK shortage occupation list be expanded to include community pharmacists (those who work for private employers other than the NHS). The MAC also recommends those orchestral musician jobs that are not for leaders or principals of internationally recognised UK orchestras be removed from the UK shortage occupation list. The MAC does not recommend any other changes to the UK shortage occupation lists. The recommended Scotland list is unchanged. As requested by the government, the MAC carries out a partial review of the shortage occupation list every six months. The MAC currently plans to publish a full review of the shortage occupation list in the autumn of 2010. All the occupations included in the original MAC recommended shortage occupation lists in September 2008 have now been reviewed at least once. The MAC was formed to provide independent, evidence-based advice on migration to the government. This includes advice on occupations where shortages in skilled labour exist where migration could help meet the needs of the economy

Campaigners win rethink over Heathrow third runway

A High Court judge today ordered the Government to rethink its plans for a third runway at Heathrow. The ruling by Lord Justice Carnwath was hailed as a triumph by the councils, residents and green campaigners who had bitterly opposed the plans. But the judge has left the door open for ministers to come back with a new plan to press ahead with the project. The judge criticised the Government for failing to take into account new evidence of climate change which had emerged in 2008. He said it was “untenable” to continue with the third runway plans and ignore clear evidence of its impact on the environment, adding: “It was not open to the Secretary of State simply to stand on the principle [of] the policy decision made in 2003 without regard for the important developments since then particularly in relation to climate change policy.”

When twins become a curse that must die

A child’s birth is often a blessing, and getting twins is a double joy. But for a family in Bungoma, the arrival of twins 10 days ago was considered a bad omen. The verdict: the twins had to die, and they were buried alive — by their father. Samson Pakachini put his two new sons in a sack, dug a hole in his compound, and placed the boys, still alive, in it. He then filled the hole with soil even as the two infants cried. Pakachini (not his real name), a Sabaot from Mt Elgon now living at Katome village in Bungoma West, says having twins is culturally unacceptable.  That is why, as soon as his second wife Anne delivered the twins, he buried them alive. This was not his first encounter with twins; when his first wife had twins, villagers say, she fled the home with them when she learnt that her husband was planning to kill them. This week, the mother of Pakachini’s new twins was too grief-stricken to say much. She said between sobs that she was prevailed upon by the family and the community to have her children killed.

“They threatened to chase me away with my other children,” she added.  “I have no place to go; that is why I allowed them to do it.” But former Mt Elgon MP Wilberforce Kisiero, a village elder, said the killings were uncalled for and urged police to arrest the couple.  Twins in the Sabaot community are revered and considered a special blessing, he added.  “Special songs are sung in their honour and they are protected by culture against any form of mistreatment. Among the things you cannot do to them is hit them on the head.” Area chief Ronald Wachiye also condemned the killings, saying: “They are innocent victims who should not have been killed.” Local residents were horrified after police held the couple for a few hours and then released it on Thursday evening. And some residents on Friday marched to Lwakhakha police station and demanded that the couple be re-arrested. Others were camping at the homestead, threatening to set their house ablaze. – Daily Nation.

Taiwan man ties the knot at 96: report

A 96-year-old temple keeper has become Taiwan's oldest groom on record after marrying a woman less than one third his age, a report said Friday 26th March, 2010. Lin Chung, who runs a Taoist temple in south Taiwan's Tainan county, is the talk of town after wedding a 30-year-old woman from mainland China's central province of Hunan, said the Taipei-based Apple Daily. Lin, who has two adopted children although he was single, told the paper that he was "instructed" by the gods to go to Hunan three years ago to find his future wife. He recently decided to tie the knot despite strong objections from his 68-year-old adopted son, who suspected that the elderly man was conned, the report said. "I must have a companion in my old days... I've never been married before so why can't I marry her? (My son) is unfilial," he was quoted as saying. Lin is currently applying for his wife to come to Taiwan to live with him, the report said. In 2009, about 13,000 Taiwanese married people from China, Hong Kong and Macau, accounting for about 60 percent of island's international marriages, according to the interior ministry.

Nairobi, Kenya, MPs are still divided over whether to amend the draft Constitution currently being debated in Parliament. Mr David Njuguna (Lari, PPK) backed the document as it is, saying it would give a chance for the country to realise its growth potential.  The MP supported the inclusion of the recall clause, saying it was “a wake-up call to all the MPs to start delivering services to their constituents.” He also backed the 14-day window before the swearing in of a new President. “This constitution will ensure the swearing in of the President will never be done in the middle of the night … everyone will know when the Head of State is being sworn in,” said Mr Njuguna. He backed the 47 counties and asked that a provision be made to cater for the minorities. Livestock Development assistant minister Aden Duale (Dujis, ODM) urged his colleagues to pass the draft without amendments. “This is the biggest gain in this country to the people of northern Kenya,” Mr Duale said. He noted that it was wrong to delimit boundaries while focusing on population alone, saying doing so reeked of selfish motives. “There is no value to bring amendments to this draft Constitution based on political, party, ethnic or regional interest,” said Mr Duale. There was a temporary rush among MPs, led by assistant minister Simeon Lesirma (Samburu West, ODM) to have the debating time cut from 20 minutes per member to just 10 minutes. But he was ruled out of order by Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim, who told him to make such proposals at the resumption of the debate, not when the matter was on the floor. When Mr Duale continued with his submission, he said: “It is very shameful that the leadership of this country cannot sit down and agree on this document.” He was referring to the failure by MPs to agree when they met at KIA. Kisumu Town East MP Shakeel Shabir (ODM) urged the House to pass the proposed constitution intact, adding that the draft would be rejected at the referendum if Kenyans were to perceive at as mutilated.

MPs in the Parliament, left, and right, Kofi Annan, who is currently in Kenya, meets the President Mwai Kibaki

He asked councillors, who on Tuesday had a demonstration over claims that MPs would eliminate wards, to stop misleading Kenyans over devolution. Ugenya MP and Lands minister James Orengo said devolution would be the best option to check the powers of the President under the system agreed on at the Naivasha retreat. “Those who fear devolution are living in the past,” he said, and added: “If we are creating regions or counties on the basis of ethnicity, we have missed the point of devolution.” He said without devolution as spelt out in the proposed constitution, then the country would have created an even more powerful presidency than the one currently in place. Mr Orengo said some of the issues that resulted in the search for a new set of laws had come about because some Kenyans felt excluded from governance and the sharing of resources. “This document is better than anything we have had before. I can recommend it to Parliament but we must also live by the values contained in it,” said Mr Orengo, who was among prominent Kenyans in the struggle for multi-partyism and a new constitutional order. He asked for proper leadership as failure to adhere to the law, even with a good system, would result in the same situation the country was in right now. “The unmaking of Kenya began with non-compliance to the law. Without leadership in this process, we are going nowhere,” said the Ugenya MP. Mr Orengo asked MPs to play their role in ensuring Kenyans got a new constitution, saying the current draft was a product of the people, unlike the current Constitution written with the involvement of colonialists, and mutilated by subsequent governments. “How many times do we remember how hard our people fought, with some even detained in the struggle to be free?” he posed, adding that Kenyans should count themselves lucky that the constitution is not being written under violent circumstances such as those in South Africa. Eldoret East MP Margaret Kamar (ODM) asked her colleagues not to be afraid of making crucial changes to the draft before asking Kenyans to vote on it, saying the new set of laws would need to be good for the next 100 years.

SOKONI TRADING SCHOOL: "Where have you disappeared Sofie, we have not heard about Sokoni Trading for quite some time." - "I have moved to another level in another direction. I have teamed up with  other serious communities especially Nigerians. Somebody introduced me to a Nigerian Church where I introduced my services and from that day things are no longer the same. My class of Trading  is always full. Am surprised that other communities know the value of Stock Market Trading and how costly it is to be taught. But for the Kenyans community they don't know the value of a Gold. You give them a Gold and they say it is just another piece of metal. My classes are always fully booked." - Sofe, Sokoni Trading School, London

IN THE YEAR 2010

Always take time to smile

Meanwhile, visiting former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Thursday held talks with President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. He expressed concern that a large part of the Kenyan population risked being disenfranchised in the forthcoming referendum due to lack of Identity Cards. MORE

Kenyan envoys recalled in major shuffle. At least 14 Kenyan ambassadors and 115 junior staff have been recalled in a shuffle by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nation has learnt. Those recalled include Dr Sospeter Machage (Russia), Mr Mutuma Kathurima (Germany), Mr Rateng Oginga Ogego (US) and Ms Ann Nyikuli (Italy). Others are Mr Mwakai Kikonde Sio (Spain) and Mr Lazarus Amayo (Zambia). Foreign Affairs assistant minister Richard Onyonka could not tell the exact number of envoys and embassy staff who had been recalled.  “The changes are only looking major because previously they were done piecemeal. Nobody has been asked to come back before finishing the official four-year term,” Mr Onyonka said. The Nation confirmed that most of those affected had served since 2003 when President Kibaki took over power. “It’s a normal requirement after end of duty. The ministry has no problems with any of them,” Mr Onyonka said. He said long-serving Kenyan High Commissioner to the UK Joseph Muchemi was also replaced two weeks ago. Mr Muchemi, a confidant of President Kibaki, was appointed in 2003 and has served well beyond the regular limit in one station.  Mr Onyonka said the changes were meant to increase efficiency, adding that their replacement was in progress. The envoys are required to report back to the country by May 17.

Mr Onyonka said the junior staff, who include education attaches and accountants, had also completed their terms. They are expected to return by June. On Thursday, Foreign minister Moses Wetang’ula declined to comment on the reshuffle until President Kibaki makes new appointments. A diplomat who talked to the Nation on condition of anonymity said he had been asked to return to Nairobi by May 17. Some envoys were yet to get letters from the ministry recalling them, he said. Dr Machage, a twin brother of assistant minister Wilfred Machage, was appointed in 2005. Mr Ogego was in the news prior to President Barack Obama’s election when he criticised the US president for his remarks during a visit to Kenya. Kenya has 51 fully fledged missions with multiple accreditation, bringing its diplomatic cover to 100 countries. Some have, however, remained vacant because of differences between the PNU and ODM wings of the coalition government. They include South Korea, Canberra, Brasil, Geneva, Vienna and Tokyo. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs public and communication director Egara Kabaji has resigned. Prof Kabaji told the Nation he quit on Monday for personal reasons. – Daily Nation.

THE SEEDS AT MAASAI MARA

LEFT: Joseph Njiiri and Dennis Njiiri (Baby Seed) posing with a Maasai Warrior at Keekorok Lodge in Maasai Mara and on right - a photo along Mara River with hippos resting across the Mara River while a tourist (far right) is hanging on the crocodile infested river - you can see a crocodile approaching near her.

"Why should you think that you are more important than other people. Achieving what you have achieved does not mean that you are important than others. You should learn to respect others. I understand that whenever some of you go back home you act to show everyone down there that you are more  important than them - including your parents. Some of you ask your parents to come and see you in town. You should humble yourself. Don't forget that you are the same one who came here with one shoe" - Pastor Mike Wanyoike, London

Kenyan authorities destroys more than 2,500 seized firearms

Kenyan authorities have destroyed more than 2,500 seized firearms in a UN-backed initiative to reduce gun crime in East Africa. Political instability in the region is a major factor in the widespread crime culture, Kenyan Internal Security Minister Professor George Saitoti said, with an estimated 100,000 firearms in circulation. 'We are surrounded by countries which have had problems at one point or another, that is the reality and it must be understood by Kenyans,' he said, referring to Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi. 'That is what has caused our problems, even in Somalia, more than 20 years now they have been fighting with guns, they have brought us problems here.' Many of the guns were found in raids on rural communities. 'People living in these areas easily acquire firearms from neighbouring communities, and this is a challenge to the government,' Mr Saitoti said. He said efforts to stop them being smuggled into Kenya had been stepped up. Mr Saitoti continued: 'The government has held fruitful discussions with Uganda, and Ethiopia among other neighboring countries and we are optimistic the initiative will yield desired results. The firearms destroyed yesterday had a value of about £13,000 (1.5million Kenyan shillings) - just £5 per weapon. 'People are spending a lot of money to buy these firearms we are destroying here today; they need to be educated and have confidence in the government and stop owning guns because we are there to protect them,' Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Francis Kimemia said. 'This is a war that calls for concerted effort among members of the International community, governments, private sector, faith-based organisations and law abiding citizens.'

Strangest of the strange?

LEFT: This week's challenger - and what a challenge it is - is the naked man who ran out into traffic in Hefei, China, stopped the cars, and then attempted to lift a taxi off the ground while shouting 'please give me strength', much to the bemusement of the watching taxi driver. It's not entirely clear why he did this, but what is known is that when police arrived to ask him to stop a) trying to lift the taxi, and b) being naked, he ran and hid under the police van and refused to come out.

RIGHT: The world record holder for the world's largest dog, Arizona's Giant George, handed out yet another comprehensive bum-kicking to his opponent in last week's contest. He defeated the lady who had devil-like horns growing out of her forehead by a staggering margin - he was leading 65 votes to 4 when, we'll be honest, we kind of stopped counting. We think Giant George might have something of a fan club out there...

Pakistan police said they are holding two men in Jhelum, the ciy in which Sahil was snatched on March 4. Items stolen from the Saeed family home were recovered, along with weapons and explosives, according to the BBC. The schoolboy was snatched on March 4 by gunmen during a holiday in Pakistan with his father, Raja Naqqash Saeed, and other relatives. He was released last Tuesday, and found wandering in a field nearby. The kidnappers struck while Sahil was in Jhelum, in the Punjab region of Pakistan. An international police operation was launched and Mr Saeed returned to Europe, going to Paris where he handed over a £110,000 ransom to secure his son's release. Three people - two Pakistani men and a Romanian woman - were arrested in Spain after police followed two of them from the French capital.

Alcohol is the  fifth most dangerous drug

Ranking highs: Nutt’s research shows alcohol to be the fifth most dangerous drug after heroin, cocaine, barbiturates and methadone

INTERDENOMINATIONAL WORLD REVIVAL MINISTRIES (I.W.R.M)

INVITES YOU TO THEIR

OVERNIGHT PRAYERS TOMORROW, FRIDAY,

26TH MARCH  2010 FROM  9.00PM-6.00AM.

VENUE: 500 HIGH STREET NORTH, MANOR PARK, LONDON, E12 6QN.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU COME.

SEE YOU THERE.

Youth dies in Tube station stabbing

London, Thursday 24th March, 2010. A male youth has died after he was stabbed in one of London's busiest Tube stations during evening rush hour, British Transport Police said. Several arrests were made following the incident at Victoria Tube station shortly before 5.20pm. The victim suffered serious stab wounds to his upper body and died in hospital, a police spokesman said. A statement from BTP said: "British Transport Police can confirm that officers are investigating a fatal stabbing at London Victoria station. "The incident occurred at approximately 5.20pm today and BTP are appealing for witnesses to contact them. A male youth was taken to hospital, where he later died. "Police can confirm that a number of arrests have been made and officers from the BTP and Metropolitan Police remain at the scene. "Passengers are advised to avoid the area at the present time and expect delays to journeys.

Bishop Wanjiru trails Kamanda by over 11,000 votes

Assistant minister for housing and current Starehe Member of Parliament is trailing former sports minister Maina Kamanda by 11,182 votes as the recount exercise entered its 4th week Thursday 24th March, 2010. The exercise that was ordered by the court started on 25 February this year. 110 ballot boxes had been recounted by noon Thursday at the Milimani Commercial Courts where the exercise is being carried out. Kamanda had 29,159 votes against Bishop Margaret Wanjiru's 18,077. According to the results announced in December 29, 2007 Bishop Wanjiru got 29,496 votes to Kamanda's 28,601 a difference of 895 votes. However Kamanda filed a petition saying that he was denied victory through voter malpractices and falsification of forms 16 A. He argued that he had garnered 46,940 in the 2007 general election.

Wisdom comes with experience. And wisdom helps us improve. But does wisdom only come with experience? Not necessarily. Begin with an open mind and you can gain wisdom even through wise old sayings.

Mwea MP arrested for incitement

Mwea MP Peter Gitau has been arrested in connection with the killings of four people in South Ngariama ranch in Kirinyaga South district two weeks ago. Issuing a ministerial statement in parliament Thursday internal security assistant minister Orwa Ojode said the Member of Parliament was arrested after he was implicated by several witnesses in the killings. Ojode said several other suspects have been arrested and investigations are still going on. The assistant minister urged members of parliament to assist the police and desist from hiring goons to disrupt peace and order in the country. He said the government will not rest until all those who took part in the killings are apprehended and prosecuted. He was issuing a ministerial statement sought by Gichugu MP Martha Karua who wanted to know what the government was doing in the connection with the killings in the controversial Ngariama ranch. Gitau has been taken to Kerugoya police station to record statement. The remains of the four will be interred on Friday.

The US Supreme Court has stayed the execution of a convicted murderer, less than an hour before he was due to die, after an appeal for new DNA tests. Henry Skinner, right, was convicted in Texas in 1995 of the murders of his girlfriend and her two sons. Skinner, who is now married to a French campaigner against the death penalty, had called for new DNA testing to prove his innocence. His appeal received the support of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The French ambassador to the US has asked the Texas governor to pardon Skinner or halt the execution. The stay of execution grants a delay but does not ensure the DNA tests will be carried out. Skinner, 47, was told about the reprieve as he waited in a holding cell next to the death chamber in Huntsville, Texas. "I had made up my mind I was going to die," he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. "I'm eager to get the DNA testing so I can prove my innocence and get the hell out of here. I'm greatly relieved. I feel like I really won today." Read more

"The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom." - James Allen

Kenya to resume gold mining

Large scale mining of gold is set to resume in Kenya soon after 50 years since the British companies abandoned the venture, the Commissioner of Mines and Geology, Dr. Bernard Rop, has said. Dr. Rop said the government has already licensed several foreign companies which will resume prospecting gold in the former mines in Rosterman, Ikolomani, and Viyalo in the former larger Kakamega district and Macaldar in Migori district. He pointed out that the former gold mines in Western Kenya still have substantial untapped alluvial gold which could benefit the country. Speaking during a workshop organized for small scale miners in Vihiga district Dr. Rop explained that in order to make prospecting of minerals profitable and attractive to both local and foreign investors, the government was enacting new laws to replace those crafted by colonialists in the early 1940's. He said the ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources has forwarded the draft of the new laws to the Attorney General's office for parliament to legislate it into a new law. During the workshop, participants were updated on mineral prospecting techniques, mineral identification, processing and value addition and marketing. They were also briefed on the proposed new legislation and policy, formation of self help groups and co-operative society, mine safety and health issues, financing of mining activities and environmental conservation. According to Dr. Rop, former gold mines have excavated soils (tailings) left by the British companies from which modern technology can extract large quality gold. Dr. Rop said when large scale mining starts, prospecting companies will pay large sums of money to the government as royalties and compensation to people whose land will be used. The spill over from gold, he added, will resuscitate the economy of Western Kenya which suddenly declined when mining stopped in 1952 at the height of independence struggle. British companies hurriedly closed down the mines leaving deep holes which are currently posing danger to local communities, he explained. Recently, Western Provincial Geologist, Mr. Evans Masachi, said the mines at Rosterman have water which can feed the whole of Kakamega if purified.  Dr. Rop urged small scale gold miners to form co-operate groups which they could use to acquire capital and modern mining equipment to undertake deep ground mining which is more profitable than the open cast and shaft mining they are using. He also advised them to add value to their gold and make jewelleries to earn more money on the international market. Dr. Rop advised them to avoid selling their gold to middlemen whom, he said, exploited them.  "Price of gold in most parts of Western Kenya ranges from Sh.1,800 to Sh.2,000 per gramme," he explained Mr. Masachi, who also addressed the workshop, said there were 870 small-scale gold miners in the province with Musingu ‘B' leading with 180 members followed by Lirhembe 160, Musingu ‘A' 120 and Musingu ‘C' 70 with members. He said the groups produce 1,876 grammes of gold per week with Rosterman, near Kakamega municipality, topping with 1,260 grammes followed by Musingu ‘B' 160, Lirhembe 160, and Musingu ‘A' 72.

Helicopter footage of erupting volcano in Iceland

A volcano in Eyjafjallajoekull in south-central Iceland continues to erupt under an ice-sheet but fears that it could unleash floods of melted water have so far been unfounded.  Nearly 600 people who had been moved from their homes at the weekend have been now been allowed to return, although the residents of 14 farms have been ordered to stay away. - CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO

LESSONS OF LIFE:  "Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck." - Regina Brett, 90 years old

SOMETIMES THINGS FALLS APART IN KENYA

"When things fall apart, civilization takes a back seat"

Wife wins $9m from the mistress who stole her husband
Cynthia Shackelford said that her husband's affair left her devastated

James Bone, New York

A spurned wife has made her husbands mistress pay for ruining their marriage literally by suing her successfully for $9 million. Cynthia Shackelford used a centuries-old North Carolina law to sue her husbands lover, Anne Lundquist, for alienation of affection. A jury ordered Ms Lundquist to pay $5 million (£3.3 million) in compensatory damages and $4 million in punitive damages for breaking up the Shackelfords 33-year marriage. My main message is to all those women out there who might have their eyes on some guy that is married to not come between anybody, Ms Shackelford told the ABC Good Morning America programme yesterday. As long as a couple are living together as man and wife, same house, same bedroom, same bed: lay off. she said. My children are devastated. Im devastated. Allan Shackelford, 62, a lawyer, met Ms Lundquist while providing legal advice to the North Carolina college where she was a dean. In her lawsuit Ms Shackelford, 60, who quit her job as a teacher to raise the couples two children, claimed that Ms Lundquist began deliberately to seduce her husband in about November 2004. Ms Shackelford hired a private investigator who watched the lovers spending time together at the family home in Greensboro. The Shackelfords separated in 2005 and are seeking a divorce. Ms Shackelford says that her husband was ordered to pay her $5,000 a month in alimony but has yet to do so. North Carolina is one of only seven states in the US that still has an alienation of affection statute on its books. Lawmakers have refused to repeal it because they do not want to be seen as condoning adultery. Mr Shackelford says that he and his wife had a troubled marriage before he met Ms Lundquist, 49, and had gone through three rounds of failed counselling. Their marriage did not break up because of Anne Lundquist, he wrote in a post on the Greensboro News-Records website. It ended because of the problems that Allan Shackelford and Cynthia Shackelford created for themselves. But, Cynthia Shackelford was never prepared to look in the mirror and take responsibility for her own mistakes. I know, because I am Allan Shackelford. The couples children, 23 and 27, reacted badly to their parents break-up. Their daughter Amy also went public on the News-Record site, claiming that her father had emotionally abandoned his entire family for the last five years. Ms Lundquist said that she would appeal. Im so caught off guard by everything, she said. I dont have a lot of money, so where this $9 million comes from is kind of hysterical.

'Cheating' and the law

Alienation of affection lawsuits are allowed in Hawaii, Illinois, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota and Utah. They are a rare case of the paramour rather than the spouse being forced to pay the aggrieved husband or wife. Plaintiffs must prove that the marriage was loving, that this love was injured and destroyed and that the defendant contributed to this loss of affection. Please note, says one North Carolina lawyer, extramarital sex is not required. Flirting, going on dates, kissing and other intimate activities can be enough.

London, Thursday 25th March, 2010. Chancellor Alistair Darling has set the stage for the general election with a Budget warning to voters not to put the recovery at risk by deserting Labour. He cut stamp duty for first-time home buyers - but unveiled a series of tax increases for the better-off. Mr Darling said Labour had been "right about the recovery" and cut by £11bn this year's forecast £178bn deficit. The Tories said Labour had made a "complete mess" of the economy and had "done nothing to clear it up". Tory leader David Cameron accused Mr Darling of stealing Tory policies on stamp duty and an extra tax on strong cider. And, taunting Gordon Brown, he said: "The biggest risk to the recovery is five more years of this prime minister." Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said both the chancellor and David Cameron were "in denial" about the scale of spending cuts needed and dismissed the budget as "a political dodge not an economic plan". "This isn't the preface to a new government but a footnote to 13 years of failure," he added. BBC Economics Editor Stephanie Flanders summed up Mr Darling's message as "it's bad, but not as bad as we thought - and not nearly as bad as it would have been under the Conservatives". Setting out the battle lines for the forthcoming election campaign, Mr Darling said: "The choice before the country now is whether to support those whose policies will suffocate our recovery and put our future at risk. "Or support a government which has been right about the recession, right about the recovery, and is right about supporting the people and business of this country to build a prosperous future." Mr Darling said stamp duty on homes sales below £250,000 would be suspended for two years for first time buyers, paid for by an increase to 5% of the rate on £1m homes. The chancellor also unveiled a series of other measures aimed at clawing back tax from high earners - likely to go down well with Labour MPs fighting an election next month. He said he was freezing the inheritance tax threshold for another four years, in order to help pay for the costs of care for older people. He also announced the end of some personal tax allowances on those earning more than £150,000 and a cut in tax relief on pensions for those with incomes above £130,000 a year. He confirmed the government would stick to a 2.2% real terms rise on spending this year but warned spending cuts after 2011 would be the "toughest for decades".

At-a-glance: Budget 2010 key points

Here are the key points of Chancellor Alistair Darling's 2010 Budget, the last one before the general election.

3p fuel duty rise to be phased in in three stages between April and January 2011 rather than in one go next month

Cider duty to rise by 10% above inflation from midnight on Sunday

Wine, beer and spirit duties to rise by 2% from midnight on Sunday and further 2% rise planned for two years from 2013

Tobacco duty up 1% from midnight on Sunday and by 2% in real terms each year until 2014

Stamp Duty scrapped for homes below £250,000 for first-time buyers, but only for two years

Stamp duty on residential property sales over £1m to increase to 5% from April 2011

Economy contracted 6% during the recession

Predicted growth of 1% to 1.25% in 2010, in line with forecasts

2011 growth forecast lowered from 3.5% to 3-3.5%

Borrowing this year forecast to be £167bn - £11bn lower than predicted in December

Borrowing to fall from £163bn in 2010-11 to £74bn by 2014-15

Public sector net debt to reach 54% of gross domestic product this year, increasing to 75% in 2014/15.

£2.5bn package for small business to boost skills and innovation

One year business rate cut from October to help 500,000 companies

Investment allowance for small firms doubled to £100,000

Doubling relief on capital gains tax for entrepreneurs but no change to capital gains tax rates

£385m to maintain road network

Canals body British Waterways to become charitable trust not sold off

One-off bank bonus tax has raised £2bn, double the amount forecast

Basic bank account guarantee for a million extra people

RBS and Lloyds Bank Group to provide £94bn in small business loans

Backs tax on bank transactions but on global basis

New service to adjudicate credit disputes

Six month work or training guarantee for under 24s extended to 2012

Amount of time over-65s must work to receive work credits reduced

Tax allowances for those on over £100,000 gradually removed. No changes to allowances for everyone else.

Annual limits on Individual Savings Acounts (ISAs) will rise from £7,200 to £10,200 next month.

No changes to VAT or income tax planned

Inheritance tax threshold frozen for four years

Clampdown on tax avoidance to raise £500m

New tax agreements with Belize, Grenada and Dominica

On track to achieve £11bn efficiency savings target by 2012-3

Reform of housing benefit to save £250m

15,000 civil servants to be relocated outside London

£2bn investment bank to back low-carbon industries such as offshore wind. Government to provide £1bn through asset sales

Funding for 20,000 new university places in science and maths but institutions must make savings elsewhere

£35m enterprise fund to help university-launched businesses

Winter fuel allowance rates extended for further year

£4 rise in child tax credit for parents with young children from 2012

A Balinese child in costume has lipstick applied before a ritual ceremony to welcome Nyepi, Bali's Day of Silence and the Hindu New Year.

LESSONS OF LIFE:  "Your job and money won't take care of you when you are sick.. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch." - Regina Brett, 90 years old

TOUGH SHERIA LAWS INSIDE SOMALIA

Someone sent us some photos taken inside Somalia where the al-Shabab group is controlling. Very disturbing photos of a man being buried alive. The man was facing Punishment for Adultery and Fornication in Somalia. Sharia law was used to convict the man. This may be Kenya Tomorrow. Be careful when opening the photos because some of the photos are disturbing. - CLICK HERE FOR THE PHOTOS

Ruth Wambui Ayinde Azeez jailed for 4 years

A care home assistant who led a life of luxury thanks to an £8million mortgage fraud sobbed as she was jailed for four years on Wednesday 24th March, 2010. Ruth Ayinde-Azeez, 26, lived in a six-bedroom mansion containing 12 plasma TVs and drove around in a top-of-the range Bentley and Land Rover. She took lavish holidays in Dubai and the south of France, kept £1.6m in her bank accounts and blew huge sums at upmarket bars and restaurants. But her lifestyle was funded by crime, Southwark Crown Court heard. Her husband Victor, a fraudster who is on the run overseas, led a mortgage con gang which plundered nearly £6m from high street banks in just six weeks using a network of front companies and crooked solicitors. The court heard that Ruth Ayinde-Azeez was sucked into the criminal world of her husband and came to enjoy the trappings of excessive wealth. The Kenyan national laundered £1.25million and was jailed today for four years for her part in the fraud. Mrs Ayinde-Azeez, of Barnet, was found guilty at trial last month of conspiracy to acquire, use or have criminal property and removing criminal property.  During the trial, the jury heard that when she was arrested, she had loaded her car and was about to flee the country. Judge Anthony Beddoe told former care home worker Ruth: 'I do accept that you got sucked into the dishonesty of your husband, and it may be that had you never met, you would never have been in the position you are in, in this court. 'But you are not, I am afraid, as naive as your counsel sought to suggest on your behalf to the jury.

Jailed: Ruth Ayinde-Azeez was jailed for four years for laundering £1.25m on right - Luxury: A house that Ruth Ayinde-Azeez was in the process of buying with proceeds from an £8 million mortgage deception

You were not stuck with Victor Ayinde-Azeez because you had his baby. 'The evidence revealed to me that this relationship became a meeting of minds, and you came fully to enjoy, as he did, the trappings of excessive wealth. 'So much so that you were prepared to follow his lead wherever it might take you, ready to leave your child in the care of your mother if necessary, and ready to join your husband overseas. 'You laundered over £1.25m, and were set to launder very much more.' 'I recall the images shown to the jury of you spending and sharing the spoils with Victor.'  Three others who took part in the fraud were also sentenced. Isaac Matthews, 42, of Chatham, Kent, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to acquire, use or have criminal property and two counts of entering into an arrangement in relation to criminal proceeds. Describing him as a 'seasoned fraudster' the judge sentenced him to six years in jail. The court heard he had previously been sentenced to nine years in the US for fraud. Matthews used his sister, Anthonia Akinyele, 35, of the same address, to help launder the money through two companies. In total £5.2 million went through the companies, Zikkito and Isaac and Isaac International. The judge said: 'I have no doubt you were to receive and were expecting to receive a very significant cut.' Akinyele, who pleaded guilty to acquiring, using or having criminal property and two counts of entering into an arrangement in relation to criminal proceeds, will be sentenced later. Jason Mercer, 36,of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to acquire, use or have criminal property. The judge said Mercer, who obtained £111,000 to launder, conspired to play a part in the distribution of money being criminally obtained by Nigerian Victor Ayinde-Azeez and others and sentenced him to 21 months. David Hunter, 35, of Hemel Hempstead, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud. The judge sentenced him to three years and nine months in jail, saying he was responsible for losses of £1.5 million after lending his name to four fraudulent mortgage applications. The court heard that 24 fraudulent mortgage applications were successfully made between June and December 2007.

Hot tub: Mrs Ayinde-Azeez was purchasing a luxury home when she was arrested

Benny Hinn speaks out about divorce announcement

Well known Evangelist Benny Hinn has spoken out about the announcement that his wife of 30 years, Suzanne Hinn, has filed for divorce.  As previously reported on Digital Journal, Suzanne Hinn, wife of Benny Hinn, filed for divorce on Feb. 1. The couple have been married for more than 30 years and have four grown children. Hinn said he is praying that God will heal his marriage. Charisma News Online reports Hinn wrote a letter posted on his website that indicates he knew his wife has been under great stress, but he and their children "never expected this to happen." He wrote: "Divorce was the last thing on my mind and theirs. Suzanne never gave the family even a hint that this was on her mind. Even to this moment, the children and I don't know why she did it. ... I love my wife, and I am praying that the Lord Himself will take care of this and bring healing to my precious family."  - MORE

Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds - VIDEO

Census results out in June

The National Population and Housing Census results will be released in June this year. Planning Minister Wycliffe Oparanya said the delay in releasing both the actual and provisional results had been occasioned by errors discovered during the compilation of the data.  Oparanya also assured that the government will pay the allowances it owes over 500 census officials by next month. The minister spoke during the launch of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics strategic plan for 2008 and 2012 at the KICC Wednesday morning. The exercise was conducted in August last year.

5  PLOTS FOR SALE - 100 X 100 IN RUAI, NAIROBI

Asking Price Kshs. 315,000 or £2800 each

5 PLOTS IN A PRIME LOCATION FOR SALE 100mX100m each - equivalent to 1.25 acres Located in Ruai 0.5 km from the new Eastern By Pass and off Kangundo Road Very good and easy access to Nairobi through By Pass or Kangundo road Clean water and electricity already available.

For more information please contact:

Contact in UK Kiarie on 07946307161 kiarie777@yahoo.co.uk

Contact in Kenya Mutema on +254722681970.

DO YOU KNOW? Only two people are issued with official identity cards a day in North Eastern Province while  hundreds are issued with unofficial identity cards the province per day

Maths genius says no to $1 million

A reclusive Russian maths genius has refused a $1MILLION prize for solving a century-old problem. Instead Dr Grigori Perelman plans to carry on living penniless in a cockroach-infested attic. Dubbed 'Mathsputin' because of his resemblance to Russia's 'Mad Monk' Rasputin, he won the cash for solving the 'Poincaré Conjecture'. The theoretical problem has confounded mathematicians since it was put forward in 1904. And so complex was his answer that it took experts FOUR YEARS just to check it was right. But bearded Perelman, 44, this week turned down the prize from America's Clay Mathematics Institute. Described as the world's cleverest man he lives with his mum in St Petersburg - where he shouted at visitors: "I don't need anything."Neighbours say Perelman spends his days inside the cockroach-ridden flat playing table tennis against a wall.

50,000 immigrants can stay in Britain after High Court

declares new skilled visa rules 'unfair and unlawful'
 

London, Wednesday 24th March, 2010. A crackdown on migrant workers was ruled unlawful by a judge yesterday. Ministers had said a number of foreigners should be sent home for failing to carry out the highly-skilled work that was a condition of their entry visas. But the High Court, which has repeatedly thwarted attempts to remove foreign nationals, said the move was unfair. Some of the migrants have been driving taxis or packing food instead of working as doctors or engineers. One in five was earning below the average wage. They had all entered Britain under the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme which was introduced in 2002 and offered a route to permanent residence in the UK after just four years. To be accepted, migrants had to show a history of high earnings as well as qualifications that would allow them to work in high-status jobs. There was, however, no requirement for them to secure a job before they arrived. Once here, they were free to pursue any occupation they chose. When it emerged that many were doing lowly jobs, ministers argued that the programme had not been "sufficiently rigorous to select those migrants who were making the greatest economic contribution to the UK". The migrants were told their cases would be reassessed using a new points-based system which came into force for new migrants earlier this year. It sets a higher benchmark for success and would have led to many of them being told they were no longer wanted.

Mr Justice Newman: "Good administration and straightforward dealing with the public require it. Not to restrain the impact of the changes would, in my judgment, give rise to conspicuous unfairness and an abuse of power."

Campaigners say as many as 44,000 would have been expected to return home. HSMP Forum, a pressure group, said the rule change was unlawful and a breach of the migrants' "legitimate expectations". They argued it was unfair to change the rules retrospectively when the migrants had made a new life in the UK. In the High Court, Mr Justice Newman agreed and granted the group a judicial review of Home Office policy on the issue. He said the changes were "unfair" to those already in the UK under the programme and there was "no good reason why those already on the scheme shall not enjoy the benefits of it as originally offered to them". The judge added: "Good administration and straightforward dealing with the public require it. Not to restrain the impact of the changes would, in my judgment, give rise to conspicuous unfairness and an abuse of power." Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was ordered to pay the Forum's legal costs from taxpayer funds. She is allowed, however, to ask the Court of Appeal to examine the case. The Home Office said the judgment concerned only migrants who came into the UK under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme before November 2006 and who were applying for an extension of leave since the changes brought in then. Last night, Liam Byrne, the Immigration Minister, disputed the claim that 44,000 migrants would benefit from the High Court ruling. He said: "This is a very straightforward case, which affects just 1,300 highly-skilled migrants. "Did we give migrants a big enough warning that the rules could get tougher while they were here? We said 'yes', others said 'no'. "That's why it was right for a judge to take a look at this case, and I will now decide whether to appeal against his ruling." David Davis, Tory home affairs spokesman, said: "We warned the Government repeatedly that retrospective changes to HSMP were both unfair and potentially illegal. "We called on ministers to suspend the retrospective application of the rules while their legality was determined by the courts."

DO YOU KNOW?: Ndakaini dam in Murang'a accounts for more than 70 per cent of City of Nairobi Water supply. The dam is now about 98 per cent full but city residents will continue to experience water shortages indefinitely because the demand is more than supply.

SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON WEDNESDAY 24TH MARCH 2010

LEFT: The Times leads with calls from 20 of Britain's most senior doctors for smoking in vehicles to be extinguished. CENTRE: The Daily Telegraph's front page is dominated by the image of the two Red Arrows pilots colliding over Crete. The paper leads with a preview of Alistair Darling's budget which it says will include an increase in income tax bills for millions of middle-class Britons. RIGHT: The Daily Express says a new benefits ruling in the High Court has "opened the door" to immigrants hoping for payouts to return to their families abroad.

Boy with record 31 fingers and toes to have surgery

A boy in China who has 31 fingers and toes - a world record - is to undergo surgery to remove the extras digits.

The 6-year-old boy, from the city of Shenyang in China's northeastern Liaoning province, has a total of 31 fingers and toes - 16 toes, and 15 fingers (although one of those fingers is incomplete, being a fork at the end of the right thumb.) Three fingers on each hand are fused together.  That beats the current world record of 25, held jointly by two Indian children, Pranamya Menaria and Devendra Harne, who both have 12 fingers and 13 toes. But the boy will go under the surgeon's knife today to remove the additional digits, local media have reported. The boy has a condition known as polydactyly, in which one of a variety of genetic disorders - which can be inherited, or new mutations - gives rise to the supernumerary digits. Most commonly, the extra digits appear on the little finger side of the hand - but this boy appears to have the much rarer condition of central polydactyly, in which the middle fingers and toes are duplicated.

The boy shows off his 15 fingers and 16 toes and on right an x-ray of the boy's hands, showing all 15 fingers - including the small 15th digit on the side of the right thumb

REV. LUKAS NJENGA WIFE  HELEN  OF SCOTLAND HAS LOST HIS FATHER BACK IN KENYA

Helen Njenga's contact in Kenya +254713495801 and Lukas +254729205260.

If any one would like to contribute their account number is Helen Njenga 00529383 sort code 110867 Halifax Bank.

I am humbled to bring to your attention the news of Helen's Dad (my Father in Law) Mr Nimrod Miana Macharia  Promotion to Glory he has rested and been promoted to Glory. Helen's Dad has fought very had in the last few weeks. He had a great  80th Birthday on 2nd January 2010, which was well attended and many got to enjoy his high since of Humor great history and business skills. shortly after that he was admitted to Agha Khan hospital with lungs failure one thing led to the other and yesterday he suffered a massive heart attack while under going diarises. Please pray for Helen's Mum, His brothers and sisters and Particularly those who need to travel from the United states. The funeral is Scheduled for Sat the 27th March 2010. We will keep you posted with the progress. Please pray for Helen, His brothers and sisters and Particularly those who need to travel from the United states. The funeral is Scheduled for Sat the 27th March 2010. We will keep you posted with the progress. - Contact 01419450606 or 07985505797.

A Kenyan has passed away in Kansas City, USA. The late Peter Gichuiri Muritu 64, passed away on 18th March 2010 at Kansas City, USA.  He was the son of late John Muritu Gichuiri and Agnes Wanjugu Muritu and son in-law of the late Jotham Nginyah and late Milkah Nyakanini.  Beloved husband to Esther Muthoni Gichuiri and father to Pauline Noni, Alex Muritu, Anne Wanjugu and Patrick Nginya. Father in-law to Melissa Gichuiri. Grandfather to Faith Cindy Muthoni and Abigail Wanjugu. Loving brother to Wachira Muritu, Joel Gichuiri, Mweri Muritu, Esther Gathigia, Esther Mugwe, Beatrice Wamuyu, Wanjiku Kabugi, Late Mary Wanjira, James Kahugu, Muriuki Muritu and Wanjiku Kiare. Brother in-law to Grace Murugi Wachira, Nelly Wairimu Mweri, Nancy Muriuki, Margaret Gichuiri, Hannah Nginyah, Agnes Gichure, Aurelia Chiuri, David Nginyah, Catherine Ngunjiri, Dan Nginyah, Margaret Kuraru, Gladys Nginyah and Geoffrey Nginyah. Uncle and Grandfather to many. Family and friend s in USA are meeting daily 7:00pm at his residence: 2614 N 107th Terrace, Kansas City, KS 66109. For more Info Please Contact Esther Gichuiri 913 636 4435, Pauline Gichuiri 816 678 9097, Alex Gichuiri 913 488 3310, Pastor Ben Kangethe 913 206 0253 , Rev David Nzioka 913 271 3549, Rose Muita 913 710 0724. Your thoughts prayers are highly appreciated. Any donations and gifts can made to: Esther Gichuiri, 2614 N 107th Terrace, Kansas City, KS 66109. Or in the Account Below, Commerce Bank, A/C Name: Esther Gichuiri, A/C #: 600921972, Routing # : 101000019. Viewing and Visitation will be held on Wednesday March 24 2010 from 11am at: Gospel Outreach Center, 1851 Merriam Lane, Kansas City, KS 66106. The burial will take place at his Farm in Marmanet Scheme (Oljabet); the burial date will be announced later. Friends and relatives in Kenya are meeting daily for funeral arrangements at R&J Bistro – Phoenix House, Kenyatta Avenue from 5.30 pm.  Memorial Service will be held at St. Andrews Church from 23rd March 2010. - Source: diasporamessenger

The late Peter Gichuiri Muritu 64, who passed away in Kansas City, USA

US President Barack Obama has signed his landmark healthcare bill into law in a ceremony at the White House. The new law will eventually extend health insurance cover to about 32 million Americans who currently do not have any. Mr Obama said he was signing the bill for people like his mother "who argued with insurance companies even as she battled cancer in her final days". The bill is strongly opposed by the Republicans, who say it is too costly. Immediately after the signing, attorneys general from 13 states - 12 Republicans and one Democrat - began legal proceedings against the federal government seeking to stop the reforms on the grounds that they are unconstitutional. Mr Obama was joined at the White House signing ceremony by healthcare reform supporters including Democrats from both Houses of Congress who supported the measure. He said the bill's provisions were "desperately needed", adding: "The bill I'm signing will set in motion reforms that generations of Americans have fought for and marched for and hungered to see." He hailed the "historic leadership and uncommon courage" of the Democratic leadership in Congress that secured the bill's passage, singling out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for particular praise.He concluded: "Today after almost a century of trial, today after over a year of debate, today after all the votes have been tallied, health insurance reform becomes law in the United States of America. Today. "All of the overheated rhetoric over reform will finally confront the reality of reform." Mr Obama now has to sell the reforms to a divided American public before November's mid-term elections. On Thursday, he will go to the state of Iowa to talk about how the new law will help to lower healthcare costs for small businesses and families. After a heated debate, the House of Representatives voted 219-212 late on Sunday to send the 10-year, $938bn bill to Mr Obama. Not one Republican voted for the bill, and some Democrats also voted against it. The measure, which the Senate passed in December, is expected to expand health insurance coverage to about 95% of eligible Americans, compared with the 83% covered today. It will ban insurance company practices such as denying coverage to people with existing medical problems. Correspondents say the bill represents the biggest expansion of the federal government's social safety net since President Lyndon Johnson enacted the Medicare and Medicaid government-funded healthcare programmes for the elderly and poor in the 1960s. Mr Obama's campaign to overhaul US healthcare seemed stalled in January, when a Republican won a special election to fill the late Edward Kennedy's Massachusetts Senate seat, and with it, enough Republican votes to prevent the bill from coming to a final vote in the Senate. But Democrats came up with a plan that required the House to approve the Senate-passed measure - despite its opposition to many of its provisions - and then have both chambers pass a measure incorporating numerous changes after the president signed it into law.

Cost: $940bn over 10 years; would reduce deficit by $143bn

Coverage: Expanded to 32m currently uninsured Americans

Medicare: Prescription drug coverage gap closed; affected over-65s receive rebate and discount on brand name drugs

Medicaid: Expanded to include families under 65 with gross income of up to 133% of federal poverty level and childless adults

Insurance reforms: Insurers can no longer deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions

Insurance exchanges: Uninsured and self-employed able to purchase insurance through state-based exchanges

Subsidies: Low-income individuals and families wanting to purchase own health insurance eligible for subsidies

Individual Mandate: Those not covered by Medicaid or Medicare must be insured or face fine

High-cost insurance: Employers offering workers pricier plans subject to tax on excess premium.

School Girl

A Palestinian schoolgirl walks past Israeli border police officers on her way home from school during clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian stone-throwers in the Shuafat refugee camp in the West Bank near Jerusalem.

Debate on draft constitution commences amid protests

Nairobi, Tuesday 23rd March, 2010. Debate on the harmonized draft constitution kicked off in parliament Tuesday amid protests by civic leaders over the proposal to do away with the local authorities. The debate was met with questions over the appropriate procedure of amendment in the draft law.  Members of Parliament sought to know the threshold required to make any changes in the draft and its subsequent adoption. The issue of the number of MPs required to make any amendments to the draft has been an emotive one with nominated MP Amina Abdala last week saying the proposed draft is a report of a house committee and thus subject to a simple majority to make any amendments.  Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto raised the matter in Parliament Tuesday arguing that the sequencing was not properly done. Ruto said for a draft to require a 2/3 majority it has to either emanate from a debate in the floor of the house or be brought to the house by the Attorney General as a bill.  However in his ruling House Speaker Kenneth Marende refuted the assertion saying any amendments to the draft constitution as set out by the law will require a minimum of 145 MPs to sail through. For the draft to pass without any changes it only requires a simple majority.

Third organ

Marende said parliament as the third organ of the review process was expected to approve the draft constitution without amendments and submit it to the Attorney General for publication. The parliament can also propose amendments to the draft and submit it with the proposed amendments to the Attorney General who will within seven days submit them to the COE for consultations and redrafting.  Following the speaker's ruling, the chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on the constitution Abdikadir Mohammed tabled the draft and urged the MPs to support it to ensure Kenyans realize the dream of a new constitution soon. He said parliament as the third organ in the constitution process making after the Committee of Experts and the PSC had a very critical role to play in ensuring that they dealt with the matter with sobriety. Seconding the motion the vice chairman of the PSC Ababu Namwamba urged MPs not to shun the great responsibility that they have in the realization of a new constitution.  Former Constitutional affairs minister Martha Karua also supported the motion saying the draft was suitable for Kenya as it provides checks and balances on the executive. Parliament has until April 1 to discuss the draft as set out in the review act 2008. Earlier Tuesday civic leaders engaged police in running battles when they marched to parliament buildings to protest against what they called an attempt by MPs to mutilate the local authorities in the draft constitution.  Five councilors were arrested for participating in what police called an illegal assembly as MPs commenced debate on the draft on the floor of the house. MPs had agreed to reduce the number of councilors to 2,030, 7 from each of the proposed 290 constituencies from the current 3,600 councilors. This seems to have rubbed the civic leaders the wrong way as they sought to defend their positions in their usual boisterous way. Police fired teargas to disperse the councilors who included Nairobi mayor Godfrey Majiwa.  The councilors seem to be backing the ODM party's stand on the draft where they have vowed to propose amendments on the devolution chapter to adopt a three tire system, which will see the local authorities fall below the counties.  ODM wants the creation of 25 regions and between 74-80 counties.

'Kamukunji'

Earlier, the much publicized Speaker's Kamukunji expected to take place Tuesday morning to solidify resolutions reached at the MPs' consensus building retreat on the proposed constitution failed to take place.  The cancellation of the informal meeting was attributed to the failure by MPs to hammer a deal on the contentious issues during their four day retreat at the Kenya Instuitute of Administration.  President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga had been invited to the informal meeting to whip their troops to reach a final consensus ahead of debate.  Instead the Party of National Unity and Orange Democratic Movement opted to hold separate meetings to strategize and forge differing common stands on the draft.  ODM is stuck to the demand of a 3 tier government arguing it was the only best way to devolve power. Party secretary General Anyang Nyong'o says ODM recommends the creation of 25 regions and 74 counties. The PNU on the other hand has resolved to stick to 2 levels of devolution as contained in the Proposed Constitution. However, the party agreed to push for 80 counties.  Meanwhile, the International Commission of Jurists- Kenya chapter wants members of parliament to pass the CoE draft as it is. The commission claims that parliament cannot debate the draft with objective minds since they are guided by their party interests as opposed to Kenyans interests.

A watchman from the rural area of the northern Indian state of Haryana holds his moustache during a protest in Chandigarh. Hundreds of watchmen protested against the state government in demand to get minimum wages and to be treated as fourth class employees of the state government, a protester said.

Mutula criticises ICC judges

Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo Tuesday accused the International Criminal Court of delaying justice in the prosecution of suspected perpetrators of the post election violence.   Mutula hit out at the ICC pre-trial Judges accusing them of taking too long to either grant or deny ICC prosecutor Louis Moreno Ocampo permission to commence investigations into the Kenya situation.  He said the victims of post election violence were getting frustrated over the delay as they wait for justice to prevail.  The Justice Minister said he would revive the quest for a local tribunal to deliver justice to the victims. He also pledged to fast-track the witness protection act to protect who hold crucial information on post poll chaos. Ocampo presented additional information to the pre-trial Judges early this month to guide them deliver their judgment.  The minister who was Speaking in Nairobi during the launch of a guide to transitional justice in Kenya said the book, which would aid public education and transitional justice process in Kenya, signified the Government's commitment towards addressing the past injustices in the country.  While commending the authors of the guide, the minister said the book would increase the participation of citizens in the Truth Justices and Reconciliation Commission. "I am  aware the research took into account various experiences on transitional justice mechanisms in the continent since it addressed critical issues on the same  in other countries and offered lessons for future truth commissions", the Minister noted. He encouraged Kenyans to make every effort to heal the wounds that history has inflicted on the people.  Embattled Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission  Chairman (TJRC) Bethuel Kiplagat attended the ceremony.  

John Ciira is about to say "I do"

Wedding Between John Ciira and Ann Wanjiku of Coventry (West Midlands). The Wedding will take place at Christian Life Ministry Church (CLM), 47a Parkside, Coventry, CV1 2HG on 17th July 2010. Reception will be at 146 Woodway Lane, Walsgrave, Coventry, CV2 2EJ.  Pre- Wedding will be 5th June 2010 from 6pm-12pm, at St. Paul's Church Community Hall, 346 Foleshill Road, Coventry, CV6 5AJ. The committee is still meeting for the Wedding preparations and the next meeting will be on 4th April at United Reformed Church hall , 363 Woodway Lane, Potters Green, Coventry, CV2 2AP.

London, Tuesday 23rd March, 2010. The UK is to expel an Israeli diplomat over the use of twelve cloned British passports in the Dubai murder of a Hamas leader, the BBC has learned. Foreign Secretary David Miliband will make a statement to Parliament later. Israel has said there is no proof that its agents were behind the killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in a Dubai hotel room in January. Diplomatic sources stressed the British government has stopped short of accusing Israel of the murder. However Mr Miliband had demanded that Israel co-operate fully with the investigation into how the passports were obtained. The foreign secretary is to make the statement after Britain's Serious Organised Crime Agency found proof of the cloned passports, said BBC correspondent Jeremy Bowen. Diplomatic sources stressed the British government was not accusing Israel of involvement in the killing, our correspondent added. He also said that the diplomat to be expelled would not be Israel's ambassador to London, Ron Prosor. However the expulsion is bound to send a very strong message of Britain's displeasure at the cloning of UK passports. Last month Mr Miliband described the use of fake UK passports as an "outrage" and vowed that the inquiry would "get to the bottom" of the affair. Twelve fake British passports were used in the murder of Mr Mabhouh - the founder of Hamas's military wing - in his hotel room in Dubai on 19 January. Dubai officials said they are "99% certain" that agents from Israeli secret service Mossad were behind the killing but Israel has refused to confirm or deny the allegations. Other members of the hit squad travelled on fake Irish, French and Australian travel documents, Dubai police said. Following his death, Mr Mabhouh's family said medical teams that examined him determined he had died after receiving a massive electric shock to the head. They also found evidence that he had been strangled. Blood samples sent to a French laboratory confirmed he was killed by electric shock, after which the body was sent to Syria, they said. Thousands of people attended Mr Mabhouh's funeral at the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp, on the outskirts of Damascus in January. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "The Foreign Secretary will make a statement to the House of the Commons this afternoon at 1530 GMT."

IN THE YEAR 2010

Rest and relax

BA still cancels flights in the aftermath of strikes

British Airways is still cancelling flights in the aftermath of a three-day strike by cabin crew. The airline's website shows it has cancelled nearly 200, or more than 19%, of flights that had been scheduled up to midnight on Tuesday. BA is reviewing its schedule for a further strike between 27 and 30 March. No further talks to resolve the dispute are planned ahead of the next walkout, but unions have challenged BA chief Willie Walsh to return to negotiations. BA says the majority of services in the next four days will operate normally. But on Tuesday, in the immediate aftermath of the strike, its services at a number of major British airports continued to be disrupted.

REMEMBER IN 2010: Once a year to throw away all the old wears -eg. underwear, shoes, and socks and replace them with new ones. We are from Kenya and we are always accused of keeping old and overused goods in our stores and houses eg. old plastic contains, shoes, cups, clothing etc. with an excuse that we might need them tomorrow.

The Ministry of Health is targeting to circumcise one million men in the next four years

Nairobi, Tuesday 23rd March, 2010. The Ministry of Health is targeting to circumcise one million men in the next four years. Minister for Medical Services, Prof. Peter Nyong'o says Nyanza Province alone will account for about 430,000 of the men to be circumcised between the ages of 15 to 49 years of age. The Minister in a speech read on his behalf by Kisumu Town West Member of Parliament,  Olago Aluoch, during Nyanza stakeholders meeting on Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Programme (VMMC) at Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu, said the Government was working with development partners to increase the number of health workers and facilities to cope with the increasing number of those keen on undergoing the rite. "We have modified the provision of services in the form of outreaches in various outside the health facilities" he said. The Minister said over 90,000 men had been circumcised since September 2008 when the programme was initiated. The rush for the cut in Nyanza began two years ago when researchers tabled evidence at a conference in Kisumu, showing that male circumcision reduced HIV infections by 60 per cent. Prime Minister, Raila Odinga graced the launch of the programme in Kisumu in September 2008, where he called on the youth to go for the cut to tame the increasing HIV-Aids pandemic in the region. Prof. Nyong'o hailed concerted efforts by the political leadership, local leaders, elders, the media and health workers for mobilizing uncircumcised youths to go for the cut. Medical experts say circumcision reduces chances of contracting the HIV/Aids virus by 60 percent. "Circumcisions should be seen as an intervention to prevent HIV alongside the other practiced methods such as abstinence, being faithful and correct and consistent use of condoms" The minister however cautioned that male circumcision does not offer complete protection against HIV infection. He encouraged members of the public to seek VMMC services from the public health facilities and other private sectors with professionally trained health workers where their safety is guaranteed.

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A man aged 29 has fathered 21 children with 11 different women

A man aged 29 has fathered 21 children with 11 different women. Desmond Hatchett's brood came to light after authorities in Tennessee in the U.S. took him to court for non-payment of child support.  He has apparently set a U.S. record but said: 'It just happened.'  He added that he would not have any more children. 'I'm done. I'll say I'm done,' he said.  Hatchett, who earns a minimal wage, told TV reporters he knows the names and ages of all his offspring. Their ages range from newborn to 11 years old. - VIDEO

Annan arrives in Kenya

Nairobi, Tuesday 23rd March, 2010. Former United Nations Chief Kofi Annan Tuesday arrived in the country for a four-day visit. Annan was scheduled to chair meetings convened by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) where he is the chairman of the Board of Directors.According to a statement from Portland Communications agency, Annan who is the Chairman of the AU Panel of Eminent African Personalities will also meet with President Mwai Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and other stakeholders in the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation (KNDR) process. Annan visits the country amid raging debate on the proposed constitution.  Legislators from both PNU and ODM have failed to agree on devolution and representation chapters even after meeting for four days in a bid to build consensus on the proposed law. The hard-line positions taken by both coalition partners have threatened to scuttle the review process.

To Achieve Your Dreams, Remember your A to Z

Lycatel pre-paid phone cards investigated by Ofcom

The pre-paid phone card company Lycatel is being investigated by the telecoms regulator Ofcom. Lycatel has been accused of levying hidden charges on its card users and giving them fewer call minutes than they have paid for. The company is one of the biggest in the business and sells its international calling cards in 16 countries. If it is found guilty it could be fined up to 10% of its turnover. A spokeswoman for Ofcom said it had launched the investigation after complaints were channelled to it from Consumer Direct and trading standards officers in Tower Hamlets and Suffolk. Millions of people in the UK use the cards to phone people abroad and they are particularly popular with immigrants wishing to phone home. Ofcom said it was investigating whether or not Lycatel had broken the Ofcom rules, which could lead to a fine, or if the firm had broken contract or consumer laws which could lean to enforcement action through the courts. In a statement, the company said it would be "be communicating with Ofcom to deal with their concerns and satisfy them that Lycatel continues to offer UK consumers the value and quality for which we are renowned". Pre-paid phone cards are widely sold in shops and newsagents in denominations of £5, £10, and £20 and they let the user make cheap international calls. The cards work by giving the buyer a Pin number which is revealed by scratching the back of the card and which in turn lets them use the service once they have called the Lycatel access number.

Peruvian surfer Domingo Pianezzi rides a wave with his alpaca Pisco at San Bartolo beach in Lima.

UK inflation rate falls to 3% in February

The UK inflation rate fell to 3% in February from 3.5% the month before, official figures have shown. The sharp drop in the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rate was greater than analysts had expected. Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation, which includes housing costs, remained unchanged at 3.7% in February. The CPI inflation rate is the measure targeted by Bank of England interest-rate setters, while RPI is often used as a benchmark in wage negotiations.

Kenya Gospel Singer, Ben Githae for Coventry, UK in April

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Nairobi, Monday 22nd March, 2010. A banker who escaped death narrowly after a carjacking that ended in a shootout with police on Nairobi’s Waiyaki Way on Monday morning says he is too lucky to be alive. George Kigio said he had been locked in the trunk of his own car for almost four hours before the vehicle overturned near Kabete Police station where three gangsters were subsequently shot and killed. “They (gangsters) were moving at very high speed. I had a feeling the one who was driving never knew how to drive because I could feel the way he was engaging the wrong gears,” he said. Mr Kigio who is also a pastor at a local church sustained a minor fracture on his right leg after he was catapulted from the trunk of his saloon car when it overturned less than 200 metres from Kabete police station. “At first, I heard them argue in the car, they were arguing so loudly and suddenly I heard a very loud bang, like the vehicle hit something, the next thing was the vehicle rolling before I was thrown out on impact,” he said. “And within minutes, police were at the scene trying to assist them get out of the vehicle, and that is when the gunmen started shooting at them (police).  The three were all felled there and then, but it was like they knew the owner was in the car because one of the officers immediately spotted me and asked if I was George,” he added. Capital News caught up with the father of two at his Kinoo home where he was having breakfast after arriving from the MP Shah Hospital. “That is the last thing I can remember about that accident, because it is like I went to a stupor immediately after the gunshots. I woke up to find myself lying at a hospital bed at the MP Shah where I had been taken by police officers,” he recalled.

Lucky to be alive - he could have been killed either the accident or by police

Mr Kigio narrated how he had been waiting for his gate to be opened when three men emerged and pointed what looked like a pistol at him. “I was so terrified, that I did not even make a single move.  They just opened the car and threw me out and robbed me of everything; my phone, Sh4,000 and my personal documents.  I was then ordered to jump in the trunk and they drove off,” he said. At some point, he recalled how the gangsters parked the vehicle at what appeared to be a shopping centre because of the loud music and noise from matatu conductors.  They started having a conversation with one of their accomplice who also boarded the vehicle. “I heard them say, hii fala iko ndani ya boot lakini twende upande huu (this fool is in the trunk but let’s go this way), after driving through a very bumpy road, then they stopped and asked me for my ATM PIN, and I gave them. They were so daring because they were asking me to look at them and demanded to know if I could identify any of them. I told them no,” they said. “One of them then told me that I was a dead man, before he banged the door of the boot.  I was so terrified and I kept praying.  Shortly after, I heard the vehicle join a highway and it was moving at a very high speed, that is when it overturned,” he recalled. His wife Grace had no words to describe how shocked she was when she was told by their guard that her husband had been taken away by gangsters. “I am so happy now. I thank God that he is alive,” she said. Dozens of curious onlookers and friends of Mr Kigio thronged Kabete Police station to view the wreckage of his car. Police at the station told Capital News one of the gangsters popularly known as Baite who was killed in the Monday morning incident, was wanted for the killing of nominated PNU Councillor Wilfred Apencha who was killed when those who carjacked him engaged police in a shootout in Kangemi in January. - CapitalFM.

DO YOU KNOW?: Kenyan community in the UK is one of those communities left behind in many areas? - More later.

A LUO PROVERB

Kik iruak wadu e mach.

Never lead a brother/another human being into fire.

Justice and fairness should prevail in all your dealings with others.

Welcome to Eighth Wonder of the World

Libya consists mostly of desert terrain. The Libyan Sahara desert is one of the last real wildernesses on the planet earth. Only the narrow coastal strip receives sufficient rainfall to make it suitable for agriculture and it is where 90 % of the population resides and where the capital, Tripoli, is situated. Rapid development of coastal areas and increased population have placed a severe strain on the coastal water supply. The existence of vast fossil aquifers in the south and south-east areas of the country has prompted the building of a huge pipeline to convey water to the coastal areas. Started in 1980 the Great Man-Made River project is the largest engineering scheme currently being carried out in the world. The Great Man-Made River Authority (GMRA) was invested with the responsibility of extracting water from the aquifers in the South and conveying it for use in the Libyan coastal belt. The 4-meter diameter conduit is about 1.600 km long. This huge pipeline supplies water to the cities of Tripoli, Benghazi, Sirt and other settlements. The amount of water transfered daily is 6.5 million m3. - FULL STORY

The UK Treasury is to order Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland to lend at least £80bn to UK businesses

A MAASAI PROVERB

Memira eishorro ilukuny

While heads face each other, there is not defeat. A defeat would be seen when one side runs away.

Proverbs 6:20-23

20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. 22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. 23 For the commandment is a lamp;  and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

"An animal that gives birth to a young one in the desert must suckle it in the desert" - The Wisdom of Africa, Kenya

A tour through Tropical of Cancer - VIDEO

Strike costing BA £7m a day

British Airways today said Unite's three-day strike would cost it around £21 million. The airline faces a £7 million-a-day bill under its "current best estimate" of the impact of the industrial action. BA added that contingency plans to cope with the strike had been "very successful", and results for the year to March 31 would be "broadly unchanged".

SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON TUESDAY 23RD MARCH 2010

LEFT: A court case where a man went home to get his wallet only to find a Romanian family had moved into his house is the front page story for the Daily Express. CENTRE: Israel's defiance of America by continuing to build houses in the sensitive area of east Jerusalem is the front page story for The Times. RIGHT: The Daily Telegraph leads with a story that Britain faces an increased nuclear threat from an al-Qaeda dirty bomb, according to a Government security services report.

Banks have been put on alert over increasing multi-million fraud cases in Kenya

Banks have been put on alert over increasing multi-million fraud cases through a recently introduced money transfer system within the industry. The recent incident involved CFC Stanbic Bank whereby a fraudster stole more than Sh60 million from an account. The man, who is on the loose, faked his identity and convinced workers at the bank headquarters to transfer the money to his account in a different bank through the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and then wired the same to another account in Dubai. Detectives said they had frozen part of the $800,000 in the Dubai account. Two weeks ago, fraudsters attempted to transfer Sh30 million from an account at I&M Bank to their account but were detected. The transfer was stopped at the last minute when bankers called the contacts that had been provided only to realise they were fake. The Central Bank, through the Banking Fraud Investigations Unit (BFIU), have since told financial institutions to be cautious and know their customers well, especially those involved in the transfer of huge amounts. It also wants banks to ensure their staff are vetted and always monitored. The demand came after it emerged some of the thefts were committed as a result of inside jobs. KBA CEO John Wanyela said there has been increased cases of fraud through the system but banks have been advised on the way forward. "We have told them to ensure their staff are trustworthy because such incidents cannot happen without the involvement of an insider," said Mr Wanyela. RTGS, according to CBK, is a funds transfer systems in which the transfer takes place from one bank to another on "real time" basis. Once processed, payments are final and irrevocable. In the case of CFC Stanbic, an imposter is said to have made a call to a manager and demanded that money in a certain account, which he apparently knew well, be transferred to a different bank. Police investigating the case say the man had detailed information about the account including amount.  "We believe he was working with some insiders," said a detective handling the file. After convincing the bank managers he was the "real" owner of the account, the money was transferred within an hour. - The Standard.

KIKUYU AGE GROUP

1943 - Rika ria Mwanga (Cassava).

A KIKUYU PROVERB

Mûndû ageraga maimwo, ndageraga maheo

Human being counts what is he is refused, not what he is given.

We are more mindful of injuries than benefits.

Democrats hail landmark US healthcare bill

Democrats have hailed the approval of legislation extending healthcare to an additional 32 million Americans as a historic advance in social justice. The speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi said it was comparable to the establishment of Medicare and Social Security. The bill was passed in the House on Sunday evening by just seven votes. Republicans have vowed to continue to challenge it, saying it is too expensive and promotes big government. Senator John McCain, the defeated presidential candidate, warned that outside the capital "the American people are very angry". "They don't like it, and we're going to repeal this," he told ABC News. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill as early as Tuesday, after which it will go to the Senate where Democrats hope it will be passed by a simple majority under budget reconciliation.

'New day in America'

The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says Mr Obama's long, stubborn effort to reform healthcare came to fruition after a dramatic late night in Congress.The House approved the bill passed by the Senate on Christmas Eve by 219 votes to 212, with 34 Democrats joining Republicans in voting against it. Victory was assured only hours before voting started, when the president agreed to a deal with conservative Democrats to reiterate in an executive order that money provided by the bill could not be used for abortions. Democrats were jubilant after the vote, with House Majority Whip Representative James Clyburn describing it as "Civil Rights Act of the 21st Century". Rep Marcy Kaptur of Ohio said the bill heralded "a new day in America", while Rep Doris Matsui of California said it would "improve the quality of life for millions of American families." The president said that after nearly 100 years of debate and frustration, Americans finally had the assurance of universal health cover. "We pushed back on the undue influence of special interests," he said in a statement. "We didn't give in to mistrust or to cynicism or to fear. Instead, we proved that we are still a people capable of doing big things." "This legislation will not fix everything that ails our healthcare system, but it moves us decisively in the right direction," he added. Under the plans, health insurance will be extended to nearly all Americans, new taxes will be imposed on the wealthy, and restrictive insurance practices such as refusing to cover people with pre-existing medical conditions will be outlawed.

The House Republican leader, Rep John Boehner, said lawmakers had defied the wishes of their constituents. "We have failed to listen to America," he added. "This body moves forward against their will. Shame on us." Our correspondent says many Americans do seem bemused by the size and complexity of the bill and have been angered by the long, bitter process of its passage. The New York Times, which has supported the reforms, called the vote an accomplishment of historic proportions, but the Wall Street Journal said the bill would mean much higher taxes, slower economic growth and worse medical care. Democrats hope that once the voters see the new law taking effect they will learn to like it before they go to the polls in mid-term elections in November, our correspondent adds.

'Fixes'

The bill's final approval represented a stunning turnaround from January, when it was considered dead after Democrats lost their 60-seat majority in the Senate, which is required to defeat a filibuster, a method used to delay or block the passage of legislation. To avoid a second Senate vote, the House also approved on Sunday evening a package of reconciliation "fixes" - agreed beforehand between House and Senate Democrats and the White House - amending the bill that senators adopted in December. The president could sign the House-approved Senate bill as early as Tuesday, after which it will be officially enacted into law. However, the bill will contain some very unpopular measures that Democratic senators have agreed to amend. The Senate will be able to make the required changes in a separate bill using a procedure known as reconciliation, which allows budget provisions to be approved with 51 votes - rather than the 60 needed to overcome blocking tactics. The Republicans say they will seek to repeal the measure, challenge its constitutionality and co-ordinate efforts in state legislatures to block its implementation. The White House plans to launch a campaign this week to persuade sceptical Americans that the reforms offer immediate benefits to them and represent the most significant effort to reduce the federal deficit since the 1990s. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the healthcare bill will cost about $940bn (£626bn over 10 years, and will cut the federal deficit by $138bn (£92bn) over the same period.

Cost: $940bn over 10 years; would reduce deficit by $143bn

Coverage: Expanded to 32m currently uninsured Americans

Medicare: Prescription drug coverage gap closed; affected over-65s receive rebate and discount on brand name drugs

Medicaid: Expanded to include families under 65 with gross income of up to 133% of federal poverty level and childless adults

Insurance reforms: Insurers can no longer deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions

Insurance exchanges: Uninsured and self-employed able to purchase insurance through state-based exchanges

Subsidies: Low-income individuals and families wanting to purchase own health insurance eligible for subsidies

Individual Mandate: Those not covered by Medicaid or Medicare must be insured or face fine

High-cost insurance: Employers offering workers pricier plans subject to tax on excess premium ANALYSIS

While many Americans seem to genuinely yearn for the cross-party accord they call bipartisanship, and politicians at least play it pious lip service, this lengthy debate has revealed a gaping ideological chasm.  President Obama identified overhauling the healthcare system as his priority and he's got what he wanted, a victory that eluded Teddy Roosevelt, Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. But when he threw down the gauntlet the conservatives eagerly picked it up. Healthcare didn't create the tea party movement but it gave it a focus and a cause. There are dangers to his left as well as his right. He's harmed his reputation with his own power base, for many liberals feel there have been so many compromises the bill is hardly worth it.

Waste of public money as MPs comes out empty handed

Nairobi, Kenya, Mar 22 - Members of Parliament were set to leave a retreat in Kabete without much to show for the four-day consensus building talks on the Constitution. The twin Chapters on devolution and representation remained the key divisive issues dogging the talks with MPs appearing to have given in to proposals by the Committee of Experts on the Constitution Review. Insiders intimated that MPs spent much of Monday arguing whether to adopt regions or counties as the centres of devolution. “We want the CoE draft because that is the closest we have that represents the views of the public, Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale told reporters on the sidelines of the closed-door consultations. “Mambo ya Majimbo hatutaki hapa (We do not want federalism),” he said and added: “We want the Committee of Experts’ proposals (on counties).” After hours of haggling, there was a shared reluctance to adopt the 47 Counties as the centres of devolution. - CapitalFM

"Confusion reigns where commonsense have been ignored" - Sanity, Grace Njeri, Oxford

Voter registration exercise kicks off countrywide

President Mwai Kibaki Monday launched the national voter registration exercise in his Othaya Constituency where he also registered as a voter at Munaini Primary School.  Speaking during the launch at Othaya Approved School grounds, President Kibaki urged the civil society, the media and faith-based organizations to mobilize Kenyans to participate in the exercise which he termed as of high importance in the promotion good governance and democracy.  The President said the exercise that kicks-off countrywide today marks an important milestone in the efforts to reform the country's electoral system. President Kibaki, therefore, encouraged Kenyans who qualify to vote to turn up in large numbers so as to register as voters so that they can participate in the referendum on the new constitution later in the year. "Remember that this is your constitutional right as a Kenyan.  Do not wait for the last minute rush because that could deny you the democratic right to vote," President Kibaki said. The Head of State also directed the Provincial Administration and other Government agencies involved in the issuance of National Identity Cards to expedite their processes so that Kenyans who have come of age can be issued with voter's cards.   President Kibaki emphasized that the timely completion of the national voter registration exercise is particularly important as it will enable the country to finalize the constitution making process on schedule. The President, once again, underscored the need for compromise for the sake of the country as the constitution making process enters the final leg.  He pointed out that already tremendous progress has been made in the constitution making process, adding that once outstanding issues are resolved through the on-going consensus building process, the draft constitution will be debated in Parliament and subsequently presented to members of the public through a referendum.  Said the President: "As all Kenyans are aware, we have sought for a new constitution for the last twenty years.  I am glad we are finally at the threshold of a new constitutional order that our people have desired for so long." Expressing confidence that the country will soon have a new constitution, President Kibaki urged all Kenyans to hold the constitution making process with the seriousness it deserves so that a sound constitution that will adequately serve present and future generations can be realized. In this regard, the President noted that the constitution making process will not be successfully achieved if Kenyans do not turn out in large numbers to vote in the referendum.

Lemon: Benefits & Uses

Lemon-juice prevents or restrains influenza, malaria and cold.

To all Kenyans.

I salute all in the name of the Lord.

I do come to you seeking your honest, impartial and unbiased opinion on the Food Insecurity Issue in our homeland. Kenya.

I am in the process of producing a project write up on whether or not Genetically Modifies Foods (GMO’s) can be used to solve the long running food insecurity issue in Kenya, and as a requirement, i am supposed to seek the opinion of Fellow Kenyans in the Diaspora, and in Kenya. I start here....!

Over the years, climate change (global warming if you like) has caused, and continues to cause havoc to food production. You can all agree with me that the farmers can no longer rely on the traditional long rains, short rains and dry season to plant or harvest their crops.

As result fields continue to fail in food production, leaving many a hungry people who rely on agriculture as a source of livelihood. The 1984, 1994, 2000 &2009 are just a few of the worst famines we have experienced as a nation. Now, I was lucky enough never to have slept hungry, but I watched, as my friends and neighbours did because “mugunda ndunaumia”. This is what has become of a nation that was known to produce more than it needed to feed its people.

The problem (of climate change) is reversible, but requires a great deal of time and dedication among ourselves, but we can all agree that we need a solution right now (not necessarily tomorrow or next year).

In the meantime, can we (or not) use foods that have been genetically modified to feed Wangeci (the normal mwananchi) as we wait for climate change to reverse?

The GM foods have been known to have the advantage of being resistant to pests, herbicides, diseases, cold, and draught, as well as having a higher nutritional value that the traditional crop. (Just what we need).

But on the downside, is it worth tampering with “God’s nature” in a bid to feed His people..?

I humbly request, for the honest and impartial opinion regarding this issue.

Lawyers, please provide the legal issues surrounding this issue.

Religious leaders:                   please provide the ethical matters around this issue.

Environmentalists:                 Please provide the environmental concerns regarding this.

HCP including nutritionists:    please provide nutritional concerns arising from this.

Thanking you all for taking time to read this and hope this will be helpful in the end.

God bless you all.

Send your opinion to ceranyambu@yahoo.com

World's first Ferrari theme park unveiled

It's entirely fitting that a unique theme park devoted to Ferrari will feature the world's fastest roller coaster ride. Travelling at speeds of up to 125mph, the roller coaster gives its passengers the experience of being in a Ferrari Formula One car as it generates the same G-force. The ride takes passengers up and down its track with elevations of 62 metres. Visitors to the theme park can also try out the state-of-the-art racing simulators used by the Ferrari F1 team. For the real thing, kids can have a go on the Driving and Racing School and receive expert tuition from instructors. Another park ride takes visitors on a journey through the V12 engine of a Ferrari 599 supercar. Built on Yas Island, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi also has the world's largest indoor park to keep visitors out of the hot sun. The park's roof is made from glass and metal to cover a total area of 200,000 square metres. It also has the famous Ferrari logo painted on to its red surface. A 2,200-room hotel is part of the theme park and Abu Dhabi airport is only 10 minutes drive from the park's front gate. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is set to open in September this year.

Marende optimistic of consensus

Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende Monday expressed optimism that Members of Parliament will reach a consensus on the proposed constitution ahead of debate on Tuesday afternoon. Addressing the press at KICC where he was presiding over a ceremony to launch the voter registration, Marende said President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga are expected to attend Tuesday speaker's Kamukunji to solidify the resolutions reached at the retreat.Legislators from both PNU and ODM have however failed to agree on devolution and representation chapters even after meeting for four days in a bid to build consensus on the proposed law. Mps spent the better part of the day changing positions on whether to scrap counties as suggested on Friday or not. In the latest proposal some MPs want devolution retained as it is but the number of counties increased. PNU is said to be pushing for 80 counties while the ODM maintains that 74 are adequate. ODM also maintains it would support nothing short of a 3 tier system of devolution. The hard-line positions taken by both coalition partners have threatened to scuttle the review process. Elsewhere, the Parliamentary caucus on reforms has appealed to the law makers to stop a political contest and lead the constitution making process to its conclusion. The caucus regretted the hard-line positions taken by politicians on the proposed constitution at the weekend. Speaking to journalists at KIA, the caucus chairman Danson Mungatana urged his colleagues to stop politicizing the constitution review process. Mungatana said for the last 20 years, Kenyans have been treated to empty rhetoric and this time round they should get a new constitution.Meanwhile, Central Imenti MP Gitobu Imanyara has accused his colleagues of hoodwinking Kenyans saying they do not have the authority to amend the document. Imanyara says any debate on the proposed constitution should be done in parliament. The consensus building retreat suffered a major setback when MPs disowned last Friday's agreement.

BA strike cancels dozens of flights

More than a third of British Airways flights at the UK's major airports have so far been cancelled on the third day of strike action by cabin crew. According to BA's website, 200 of the 563 flights due to take off or land at 11 major UK airports before 1400 GMT were cancelled. Unite said the impact was "severe" and questioned the number of passengers on board the flights still operating. A second round of strikes - a four-day stoppage - is due to begin on Saturday. At BA's main hub at Heathrow, 148 of the 318 flights before 1400 GMT were marked as cancelled on BA's online schedules. At Gatwick, BA's contingency plans, which include using pilots as cabin crew and leasing ready-crewed aircraft, meant four out of five flights before 1400 GMT went ahead. For Glasgow the figure was 8 cancellations out of 33 flights, while at Manchester there were a dozen cancellations out of 33 in total on BA's online schedule. Speaking to striking cabin crew at a rally at Heathrow, Unite's joint leader Tony Woodley said the dispute was costing the airline "an arm and a leg". He said a fresh offer recently put forward by British Airways had been rejected as "not good enough" for cabin crew, but said the union was still willing to negotiate and urged BA to "come back" to the negotiating table. Mr Woodley confirmed that he had been talking to Gordon Brown about the strike and was grateful for his attempts to encourage the two sides to reach a negotiated settlement. The Prime Minister's spokesperson said Mr Brown had been keeping "very closely in touch" with the situation and was very conscious of the impact the dispute was having on passengers.

Easter Convention at IWRM, London as from 1st April to 4th April, 2010

KARIBU - CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in the U.S. capital on Sunday to demand immigration reform that defends the rights of foreign workers, but their voices may have been muted by Democrats' push for a historic vote on healthcare. Carrying signs that said "Justice and Dignity for All U.S. Immigrants" and "We just want to work," the immigration activists filled five blocks of the National Mall. Some protesters wore T-shirts that read, "Our journey as immigrants is a journey for human rights." New York Democratic Representative Nydia Velazquez said: "Every day without reform is a day that 12 million hard-working immigrants must live in the shadow of fear, and ... a day that a family is torn apart. That is wrong and it is unAmerican." Velazquez, who chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, called on Congress and the president to reform immigration laws immediately. Immigration is a sensitive issue in the United States where some 10.8 million illegal immigrants live and work in the shadows and where Hispanics, the largest immigrant group, are a rapidly increasing voting bloc. Despite Washington's focus on healthcare, some in the ethnically diverse crowd were confident that lawmakers would hear about the rally and take note of their concerns. "I have my documents, but the majority of the people here do not. It's time for all immigrants to support a just immigration reform. This country really needs it because ... Latino labor produces a lot of money for their country," said a Colombian man who lives in Arlington, Virginia and gave his name as Jairo.

FRUSTRATED BY CONGRESSIONAL, PRESIDENTIAL INACTION

President Barack Obama benefited in 2008 from a huge Hispanic turnout, drawn by his promise to deliver immigration reform allowing millions of illegal immigrants a path to citizenship. Frustrated that Obama has yet to fulfill a pledge to overhaul the nation's immigration system, immigration supporters have warned him to deliver this year or face the consequences in congressional elections in November. "A lot of these people are here like myself are voters and if they don't do something, then I am voting against that congressman," said Gumecindo Salas, vice president of government relations for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. While Hispanics are seen as unlikely to switch support to Republicans, who have fought immigration reform without a clampdown on illegal immigrants, they could hurt Democrats by failing to turn out at the polls. On Thursday, Obama embraced a framework for legislation offered by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Charles Schumer. Obama said the plan, which features a new high-tech identification card for U.S. citizens and legal immigrants who want a job, "can and should be the basis for moving us forward." But on Friday, Graham said, "If the healthcare bill goes through this weekend, that will, in my view, pretty much kill any chance of immigration reform passing the Senate this year." He and other Republicans have complained about the tactics used by Democrats to win support for the healthcare bill.

Pet parrot cost owner £50,000 (KShs. 6 million) in cancer treatment then dies

  She recovered from the ordeal on Tuesday but sadly died on Wednesday

Tampa pet lover Anne Lowery shells out £50,000 on parrot companion Arebato to prolong her life for a further 9 months having been diagnosed with skin cancer.  It happens all too often – a 42-year-old is struck down by cancer despite a year of round-the-clock care and a course of chemotherapy costing some £50,000. The bit that is perhaps less common is that we are talking about a parrot called Areba. Owner Anne Lowery thought nothing of shelling out the huge sum to pay for veterinary care for her companion of 30 years. When the doctors at Tampa told me that Areba had cancer, they gave her only two months to live,’ said Ms Lowery, who takes in rescue animals and owns 11 other parrots. ‘As it turned out we got an extra nine months with Areba and the staff there ended up loving her as much as I did,’ she added. ‘I would visit her every day and at times I would spend up to five nights at the hospital with her,’ said the income tax specialist. Areba, a Wagler’s Conure, was diagnosed with skin cancer in Febr­uary last year after Ms Lowery not­iced a strange lesion on her beak. She had to brave dozens of weekly chemotherapy injections. ‘Parrots such as Areba are extremely drug resistant to chemo, so to get the right dosage is tough,’ said Dr Teresa Lightfoot, who treated Areba at Flor­ida Veterinary Specialists. ‘We had to inject the chemo straight into the lesion, for which she had to be sedated,’ she added. ‘However, we believe that we imp­roved her quality of life and of course gave her and her mom, Anne, a lot more time together,’ said Dr Lightfoot. Ms Lowery added: ‘It was alw­ays clear this was borrowed time.’

To Achieve Your Dreams, Remember your A to Z

A senior commander of the Somali Islamist group, al-Shabab, has been shot dead

A senior commander of the Somali Islamist group, al-Shabab, has been shot dead at close range as he left a mosque in the city of Kismayo. Unidentified gunmen shot Sheikh Daud Ali Hasan several times, inside an area of Somalia held by his own forces. Sheikh Hasan was in charge of front-line operations in the town of Dhobley, near the Kenyan border. Al-Shabab said it arrested several people and would bring them before a court, but did not identify them. Rival Islamist groups in the vicinity, including Hizbul-Islam, have not said whether they were behind the killing. A witness, Ahmed Daud, said: "At least three masked men armed with pistols shot Sheikh Daud Ali Hasan several times in the head and the chest as he was coming out of a mosque in Kismayo." The BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says Hizbul-Islam fighters launched an attack in Dhobly hours after the assassination - and claimed they had killed number of al-Shabab militants. Al-Shabab and Hizbul-Islam are fighting against the UN-backed, weak Somali government and the African Union soldiers. They have fought together in the capital against government forces and the AU peacekeepers, but in the southern Jubba regions the groups continue to fight each other. The dispute began last year when al-Shabab forcibly took control of Kismayo from Hizbul-Islam.

Jimmy Kibaki praises Ruto

Simama Kenya Patron Jimmy Kibaki opens a dining hall at Tuseria Girls Secondary School in Keiyo South on Saturday 20th March, 2010. President Kibaki’s only child dabbling in politics through his patronage of Simama Kenya has kind words for Agriculture Minister William Ruto, whose relations with his father is on the leap. The patron of the youth initiative praised Ruto but faulted Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga, whom he accused of failing to reciprocate the minister’s vigorous fight for him in 2007 elections. Though he did not name Raila in his speech in Keiyo South, he did not leave it to guesswork whom he was talking about. - FULL STORY

A young Kenya boys goes for acting

George Kimani Kamau, a talented young Kenyan living in East London recently landed an acting role in an influential educational programme featuring tomorrow 22nd March 2010 at 11.30 GMT on BBC2. This is one of many of George’s outstanding achievements and he encourages the youth and parents to watch the programme. Kim undertook the role of Eli, a young Muslim who faces adverse challenges prominent in Society. For those of you who may have work or educational commitments the programme will be available onwards from 22/03/2010 at http://www.l8r-online.co.uk/go/home. George is the son of Ms Mercy Kamau of Manor Park, London. - CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO

Pastor Raphael of FEM London has been blessed with a baby girl Gabriella Kaudo. Mother and baby are doing fine. You can congratulate them through rapho@yahoo.com

Wanted terrorist escapes from police custody

The country is on high alert after a wanted terrorist Immigration officials arrested at Busia border post mysteriously disappeared from police custody. The man, identified as Hussein Hashi Farah, is on the list of prohibited immigrants. He holds an Australian Passport. Sources say the suspect was arrested on March 13 as he tried to gain entry into Kenya. Top detectives including those from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit have been dispatched to trace the suspect. Two anti-terror police units will be launched at Busia and Malaba border points this week. Sources said following the disappearance, the Australian Government has expressed concern over the incident and written to the Ministry of Immigration demanding to know the whereabouts of the suspect. "The Australian Government has written to us demanding explanations because the suspect is linked to terrorist activities back in their country," the officer said. She explained that the Immigration Ministry in turn wrote to Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere requesting for information on the whereabouts of the suspect they handed over to police. "Immigration officers handed over the suspect as required by law to the police and we hope he will be produced to face charges. We are unaware of reports that he left lawful custody," she said. "We are awaiting the Police Commissioner’s response before replying to the Australian High Commission," she added. Immigrations officers are holding the man’s passport and other travel documents. He is of Somali origin and had settled in Australia. It was not immediately established where the suspect was travelling from, but Immigration investigators said a group of detectives had been dispatched from Nairobi to pick up the suspect before police in Busia said he had been released. He was arrested at the border after presenting his Australian passport to Immigration officers but the hawk-eyed officials detected him and put him in custody. A top immigration official who spoke to The Standard but asked not be quoted because he is not mandated to issue a statement on behalf of the Immigration Ministry said: "We arrested the terror suspect and handed him over to police in Busia last week, but we have conflicting reports that he has since disappeared from custody." When contacted for comment by The Standard, Busia OCPD Erastus Muthamia said he was not in a position to talk about such matters. He instead said the Provincial Police Headquarters in Kakamega could shed more light on the matter. - The Standard.

Actress Marion Cotillard reacts as French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand accidentally pricks her with the pin while awarding her the Chevalier of Arts and Letters during a ceremony at the Culture Ministry in Paris.

President Kibaki’s party now wants the Proposed Constitution passed as it was

President Kibaki’s party now wants the Proposed Constitution passed as it was when the Committee of Experts wrote it. The about-turn means Party of National Unity wants all the political compromises reached in Naivasha and during the MPs’ Kenya Institute of Administration retreat shoved aside. Though it is believed the party, smarting from failure to push its game plan at last week’s MPs’ retreat, chose to resort to CoE draft, it argued it had retreated to stop "endless wrangles". "We should accept the draft as it is since no constitution world over is perfect," said the party even as it emerged its retreat was a protest against the number and distribution of the 25 regions proposed to replace the 47 counties.  - MORE

The Seeds widow's project in Kenya coming to an end

On left is a section of the main house now awaiting painting and on right is an overview photo of the houme from a distance showing the fence around.

The Widowed woman house in Nakuru, Kenya is almost complete. The Seeds family with the support of  friends has been constructing this house since September, 2009. We came to know about this lady and her six children through a preacher visiting London who was describing about poverty and she gave the woman as an illustration of how  bad poverty can be. (see more at the end of this story). The Seeds family lives in London and sometimes they tend to think like Londoners forgetting that the lady they are trying to help is from a very poor background. We cannot move her to another level within a day. Due to her background the lady is not exposed. She only sees people constructing houses but she has never been involved nor worked at a construction site. We decided to involve her right from day one by giving her about KShs. 2,000 every week to help her to cook for the workers.  This would make her feel that the project belongs to her and she would be prepared psychologically. It was not until they started fixing the window panes that she explained that she has never known in her life that they use mud (putty) to fix them. When the construction is almost over we discovered that the lady had never used flashing toilet and it would not be comfortable to her to use right from day one. We have decided to construct two toilets and two bathrooms outside. She has never used a shower. Again she has never used charcoal and gas  in her cooking - this has forced us to construct a separate kitchen for her so that she can be using firewood before familiarising herself with the gas and charcoal. On the final leg we have now discovered that she has no household goods. We have to buy everything new for her. We are calling family, friends and well wishers to donate whatever they wish. We are meeting in April, 2010. We want to buy  for her furniture, beds, sofas, utensils etc. We will be meeting on Saturday 17th April 2010 at Memorial Baptist Church Hall (Small Hall), 395 Barking Road, London E13 8AL as from 6.00 p.m. We also need to connect electricity (power) for her which is one post away  costing about KShs. 42,000 and connecting piped water which costs about KShs. 12,000. Those wishing to donate any item for the lady can do so through Mr. Seed 07951220695, misterseed@hotmail.co.uk, Pay Pal - misterseed@hotmail.co.uk or you can contact the person overseeing the construction on 0722342559 or the widow herself Mrs. Lucy Wanjiru Maina on 0727307672 - both of them are on M-Pesa. - CLICK HERE FOR MORE

The construction is coming to an end which consists of three bedroom house at the back and two units of one bedroom on the side. We had to add two toilets and bathroom outside (far right) and a kitchen (centre) where she can use firewood while cooking. The power post can be seen behind her house which surprised everyone in the area because it was fixed the day they finished roofing the house. All the wiring has been done inside the house.

Israel won't back down in dispute with U.S., PM says

Jerusalem (CNN) -- Israel has no intention of backing down in its argument with the United States over Israeli plans to build 1,600 apartments on disputed land in largely Arab East Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday. "Our policy regarding Jerusalem is the same as it was over the past 42 years. We have made it clear to the Americans that for us, building there is just like building in Tel Aviv," Netanyahu said. Israel captured the land in question in the spring of 1967, nearly 43 years ago.

Thames Tunnel

Brunel's Thames Tunnel which is to reopen for two days after being closed to the public for 145 years. The tunnel from Rotherhithe to Wapping will open as a finale of London' EAST festival. - MORE

A Kenyan has passed away in Maryland, USA. The late Joseph Macharia of Gaithersburg Maryland passed away on Friday 19th March, 2010 at 5.50 p.m. in University of Maryland Medical Center (Shock and Trauma) Baltimore after a long illness (AML). Joseph was diagnosed with AML (Acute myeloid leukaemia) in February 2009, he was treated and got well. In October last year. Later it re-emerged and he has been in and out of hospital until three weeks ago when it got worse. On Friday morning, the family was called to the Hospital and after a day of prayers and hymn singing with him. He finally breathed his last breath at 5.50 pm in the presence of his wife, Daughter, brother and a pastor. Dr, Rev Paul Mukundi. Other pastors who prayed with him before his death were, Pastor John Karanja of ICC Church and Rev, Andrew Mweu of Mt Zion Liberty in Christ. Mr. Macharia was working at Germantown Home Depot where he has been for the last 8 years. He was husband to Judy Macharia also working at Germantown Home Depot, Father to Gladys Wambui of Lowe’s in Kentland’s and brother to Elijah Muturi of Maryland.He comes from Nakuru Town in Kenya and was a church Elder of PCEA Dr .Arthur church before he came to America. Friends and Family will be meeting daily at 6.30 PM at his residence, 905 Clopper Road, Apt A3.Gaithersburg MD 20878. Funeral arrangements and other details will follow later. Please keep visiting this page for updates. For more details, Kindly contact the following people: Elijah Muturi-301 606 2305, Judy Macharia-240 477 6568, Pastor Martin Kathurima-240 491 7034, John Ngotho-240 645 8374, Frederick Karanja-240 838 1282 and Isaac Kariuki-240 426 5633. Source: DiasporaMessenger.

The late Joseph Macharia  (left) and his wife Judy Macharia (right)

17 eminent personalities honored in Kenya

Nairobi, Saturday 20th March, 2010. Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has asked Kenyans to avoid blame game in the ongoing constitutional making process and instead support the efforts undertaken by parliamentarians towards realization of the new document. Mr. Musyoka expressed confidence that the country is in the right path to transformation and positive change for the better despite decades of elusive constitutional writing process. "This process is in critical stage and it is my believe that parliament  through dialogue  and consensus building, is able to deliberate on various issues in the document and provide leadership towards the realization of a new constitution", VP said. The Vice President was speaking during the conferment of honorary Professorship and Doctorate Degrees to eminent personalities by the United Graduate College and Seminary of the United States of America, held at the Charter Hall, Nairobi. During the ceremony 17 personalities including the Nairobi industrialist Manu Chandaria, former Nairobi Mayors, Joe Aketch and Nathan Kahara among others were honored. Congratulating the graduands, the Vice President challenged them to take an active role as agents of change and prosperity for the nation. Mr. Musyoka urged Kenyans to shun negative ethnicity and instead embrace the spirit of forgiveness, national healing and reconciliation. He asked leaders to   be at the forefront in helping Kenyans realize national aspiration and development. "Let us walk the talk and help our citizens attain their aspiration. We are in a position to progress and be an example of a great nation in the African continent", VP added. The Vice President said Kenya has great potential to be a favorable business and investment destination in the region. Among the guests was the Speaker of the National Assembly, Kenneth Marende, who urged Kenyans to participate fully in the ongoing constitutional making process by offering their vies through their parliamentary representatives. The graduation sermon was delivered by the Chief Chancellor (Kenya), Rev. Bishop Arthur Gitonga assisted by Prof. Rivers of the University.

To Achieve Your Dreams, Remember your A to Z

Kenyan wins Students Union Leadership in London.

He is the first ever known Kenyan to win such a powerful post in UK

Mr. Joseph Ngugi well known as Ngugi wa Nation

A well known Kenyan law student cum journalist has been elected to the all powerful Vice-President’s post of the University of East London’s Student Union. Joseph Ngugi, also known as Ngugi wa Nation is the new Union’s Vice-President in charge of Communications after beating two other contestants. He garnered 1,096 against his opponents, Joseph Pierson (384 votes) and Stuart Norman (243 votes). He is believed to be the first ever Kenyan student to win such a high profile post in any University here in the UK. The University of East London Union has a 23,000 members and is one of the heavily funded by the government and various organisations. The Vice President in charge of the Communications is the most second powerful position in the Union and pulls a considerably huge budget for running the students’ campaigns and publications as well as public relations roles. Mr Ngugi is finishing his law degree (LLB) course in June. He, however, plans to do his masters in law (LLM) at the same university from September this year.

Talking to Misterseed after his win, Mr Ngugi said that he intended to use his new positions to encourage more Kenyans to seek further training as well as acting as a role model for the younger generation of students in the university. This is a paid full time contract for one year, renewable once. Mr Ngugi said that he chose to run for the post after realizing the office was funded to the tune of thousands of pounds, which never benefited the students cause. He turned down the nominations for the same post last year to concentrated on his studies first. “The previous Vice-Presidents did very little to produce enough information materials that were helpful to the students. It is not a matter of being paid with students’ money and then sleeping on the job” Mr Ngugi said. He encouraged the younger generation of Kenyans to fully get involved in the students union activities and charity work saying most employers are now looking for transferable skills that included, but not consigned to leadership, team playing, management and organization.

Reyna, a female jaguar

Reyna, a female jaguar, receives dental treatment at a veterinary clinic in Envigago, Colombia. Reyna is homed at Santafe Zoo in Medellin after being rescued a year ago.

British Airways cabin crew strike takes effect

Unions and management are disputing the impact of the first day of a three-day walkout by British Airways cabin crew. The Unite union, which represents crew members, said more than 80 planes were grounded at Heathrow and an "enormous" amount of flights had been cancelled. BA said enough staff were turning up to maintain its revised schedule and let it reinstate some additional flights. Staff are striking over pay and working conditions, with a further four-day walkout planned for 27 March. Unite national official Steve Turner said on Saturday morning: "I have seen the 80-plus aircraft that are grounded right now.  British Airways have cancelled an enormous amount of flights and many passengers have realised that given the turmoil they are likely to face today, they are not going to travel and have sought and achieved a refund." BA said it aimed to fly as many passengers as possible over the weekend. Operations director Gary Copeland told BBC News the airline had cut back on domestic flights and was focusing on launching as many long-haul flights as possible. He said the operation was going "extremely well" and that it hoped to reinstate seven or eight flights in addition to running its revised programme. He said all staff had turned up to work at Gatwick and more than 50% at Heathrow, saying: "I'm genuinely delighted that the numbers turning up are significantly more than we expected."

IN THE YEAR 2010

Save for rainy days

Kenyans told to brace for long rains

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 20 - The Kenya Meteorological Department forecasts that the annual long rains will start this coming week. The Director of Meteorological Services Joseph Mukabana said the rains that have started in parts of Meru, Nyeri, Embu, Narok, Marsabit, Kitale, Garissa, Voi and Mandera will pick up during the week. “This will mark the proper onset of the March-April-May 2010 Long-Rains season,” Mr Mukabana said in a statement on Saturday. The rains that started in late February had confused farmers coming at a time when most of them had not harvested last season’s maize. A section of the farmers have started planting for the next season. In his forecast Mr Mukabana said that parts of Laikipia, Isiolo, north-western Mandera and extending to parts of north-eastern Moyale are expected to experience above normal rainfall.  The seven-day rainfall totals in some of these areas are projected to be about 100mm “This is quite intense for these semi-arid zones and close monitoring is important,” he said. This intense rainfall he said may lead to enhanced surface runoff and potential flash floods. This warning comes barely weeks after another series of torrential rains and floods in more than 15 districts in Kenya from December 2009 led to the deaths of 24 people and left massive destruction of houses, household property, infrastructure and farmlands.  The Kenya Red Cross Society predicted that more than 6,000 livestock were killed by the raging floods that have affected some 70,000 people among them 30,000 who required urgent humanitarian assistance. The Meteorological Department had however predicated El Nino rains would commence with the onset of the short rains that started last October and urged the government to prepare for its consequences. Samburu and other parts of Northern Kenya were submerged by floods earlier in the month leading to the closure of a number of lodges. This month’s forecast however assures that water levels at River Nzoia, which is vulnerable to flooding, are still relatively low. “Alert or warning level is when the River flow level is 2.8m above the reference datum while a flood level is attained when the flow level reaches 3.5m above the reference datum. Currently, the water level is at 0.7m above the reference datum,” says the statement.

Swiss investigate death of Nigerian asylum seeker

Switzerland has halted special flights to deport asylum seekers after a Nigerian man on hunger strike died on the tarmac at Zurich airport. Swiss police say they had shackled the 29-year-old man, who was being forcibly deported along with 15 other Nigerians whose asylum bids had been rejected. When he fell ill on Wednesday the police took off his shackles and a doctor tried in vain to revive him. Swiss authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Police said they had shackled the man because he had resisted deportation. Two Nigerian witnesses quoted by the Swissinfo news website accused the police of inhumane treatment. "They treated us like animals," said one, called Emmanuel. "They shackled our feet, knees, hands, hips, arms and torso and made us wear a helmet like those worn by boxers. It was simply impossible to move," he said. The man who died was a drug-dealer who had been on hunger strike for several days. It is the third such death in Switzerland since 1999. Last year there were 43 special repatriation flights from Switzerland, deporting some 360 people, mostly to the Balkans or Africa, Swissinfo reports.

Celebrating Mother's Day

It was mother's day celebrations at the CCBC Swahili Service London on Sunday 14th March, 2010 as mother to be (teenager girls) served their mothers with a cake at the celebrations as Pastor Jane Njiiri (right) delivered the sermon of the day. She talked about how important a mother is in the house. She explained that a woman is a special creature and that God used a mother to safe the world through Jesus Christ. She concluded by saying that a mother is the best teach in this world.

New Rules for Tier 1 and Tier 2 and other changes to the Immigration Rules

Home Office, 18 March 2010

On 6 April the government will make significant changes to Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points-based system. It will also amend the Immigration Rules covering asylum seekers, English language qualifications and marriage visas for members of the Armed Forces. The government has accepted changes to Tier 1 recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), and has set out details of how it will implement the MAC's recommended changes to Tier 2. The changes include new points criteria for both tiers, a simpler route for very highly skilled workers without Master's degrees, greater flexibility for short-term transfers by multinational companies, and more protection against the use of such transfers to fill long-term vacancies that should go to resident workers.

The changes were announced today by Borders and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas, who said:

'We've always said that we would run our immigration system for the benefit of the UK, and that is what we are doing. 'The changes that we are making today will build on an already robust system which is now the envy of the world. A strength of the points-based system is the flexibility to predict and respond to events. 'By utilising the flexibility of the points-based system, we are now ensuring that only those that we need to come to the UK to work can do so. 'I will continue to ensure that immigration does not act as a disincentive for employers to employ and improve the skills of the British workforce.'

The changes are included in the latest Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, which was laid before Parliament today. The other changes to the Immigration Rules include:

• revised provisions governing English language qualifications for migrants who are applying for permanent residence, to ensure that those relying on qualifications in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) will study at accredited colleges, and to clarify the progression that migrants are required to demonstrate before they can apply for permanent residence;
• changes to prevent asylum applicants from claiming humanitarian protection if there are serious reasons for considering that they have engaged in undesirable behaviour;
• clarified interview procedures for unaccompanied children seeking asylum;
• removal of a requirement for asylum seekers to be asked to sign the interview record, as other safeguards are in place;
• lowering the marriage visa age to 18 for serving members of the Armed Forces and their partners, recognising partners' role in supporting those on the front line and reflecting the unique circumstances in which the Armed Forces operate; and
• adding Monaco to the Youth Mobility Scheme.

The Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules will be incorporated into a consolidated version of the Immigration Rules. You can find copies of all the Statements of Changes in Immigration Rules issued since May 2003 in the Policy and law section of this website. The changes will come into effect on 6 April and 7 April 2010. Applications that are made before the new rules come into effect will be considered under the rules in place on the date of the application. Migrants who want to apply in person should note that the date of their application is the date when they go to the public enquiry office. Applicants should consider this when they book an appointment. You can download a statement of policy setting out the changes to Tier 1 and Tier 2, and the written ministerial statement regarding changes to the Immigration Rules, from the right side of this page.

DRESSING FOR THE MOTHER'S DAY

Some of the mothers who came dressed for the mother's day at CCBC Swahili Service on Sunday 14th March, 2010

Murder arrest over Shadwell Basin body

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a body was pulled from the River Thames in east London. The body of a man in his 20s was found on Friday in Shadwell Basin near Garnet Street, Wapping. Police are investigating whether he was in a confrontation with a group of people on Thursday night, and whether he fell into the river or was pushed. Detectives said the victim was on the waterside at the time with a 17-year-old girl, who suffered a head injury. A Scotland Yard spokesman said the girl had been injured but it was not clear exactly what happened. Emergency teams were called to the scene after several people dialled 999 to say a man had fallen in. Witnesses told officers that a group of people had been seen "in some kind of altercation" with the victim and the girl. Police, paramedics and a marine unit attended the incident, but the body of the victim was found shortly after 1000 GMT the next day. His name has not been released, but his family have been informed of his death. A post-mortem examination is due be held. A 20-year-old man was arrested at his home in east London. He was later bailed until 15 April. Shadwell Basin, part of London's docks and on the north side of the river near Tower Bridge, is surrounded by housing and popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists. Anyone with information about the incident has been urged to contact police.

Naga sadhu, or naked Hindu holy man

Naga sadhu, or naked Hindu holy man, sits inside a make-shift camp on the banks of the River Ganges, holy to Hindus, during the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, India.

Coast watch Wales launched to combat maritime crime

Home Office, 16 March 2010

A major initiative to crack down on drug smuggling, organised crime and illegal immigration around the Welsh coast has been launched today.

For the first time, a single point of contact has been created for boat users and coastal communities to provide tip-offs about suspicious activity.

Publicity material placed at key locations - from marinas to seaside pubs - has been designed to prompt members of the public to flag up their concerns.

The 'Coast Watch Wales' initiative brings together specialist officers from the various maritime and coastal agencies responsible for the security of Wales's 750 miles of coastline. These include police, coastguards and UK Border Agency officers.

Examples of suspicious activity that would be of interest to Coast Watch Wales include:

• Night-time signalling between vessels at sea and people on the shore;
• Large vessels being approached by smaller craft;
• Items or people being landed in remote coastal areas;
• Vessels leaving or arriving at marinas and harbours at irregular times;
• Light aircraft landing on remote beaches and coastal areas;
• Items being attached to marker buoys; and,
• Large numbers of passengers embarking or disembarking vessels.

A dedicated Coast Watch Wales website and email facility has been set up for people to pass on information, 24 hours a day, about anything out of the ordinary.

The intelligence will be assessed and investigated by the Coast Watch Wales team. Information can also be given to Coast Watch Wales anonymously via the Crimestoppers phone number 0800 555 111.

The aim of Coast Watch Wales is to make the Welsh coast a hostile environment for anyone involved in criminal activity, such as people smuggling, drug importation and terrorism.

With the help of the public, the Coast Watch Wales team will look to identify vessels and individuals engaged in criminal activity, disrupt their operations and prosecute those involved.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Edwards said:

'This is a significant first for Wales showing how everyone concerned with our coastline and the maritime community can work together to safeguard our national borders.'

Marc Owen, UK Border Force Director for Wales, said:

'The public is used to the idea of Neighbourhood Watch. Now we're asking maritime communities to help us protect the Welsh coastline by making it simpler to report suspicious activity.

'The UK Border Agency works 365 days a year to prevent illegal immigration and smuggling at the Welsh coast - which forms a large part of the UK's border.'

Barrie Evans, HM Coastguard Regional Resilience Co-ordinator said :

'Coast Watch Wales is a great opportunity for Her Majesty's Coastguard to work with partner agencies and others to protect our maritime boundary and coastline.'

Recent cases of offences committed at the Welsh coast include the following:

• In 2006, Operation Panama Canal investigated organised crime groups operating around the Welsh coastline. It concluded with the arrest and successful prosecution of more than 20 people from the UK, Spain, France and Jamaica. During the operation, approximately 400 kilos of cannabis, over 60 kilos of Class A drugs, ten kilos of other Class B drugs, two handguns and ammunition were recovered along with large quantities of criminal finances.
  The main focus of the operation was a business premises located on the docks at Barry but criminal activity impacted upon the maritime community as far afield as Aberystwyth. The criminal gang had spent months visiting remote beaches and marinas in south and west Wales to conduct reconnaissance and they had planned to transport the illicit cargo from Jamaica on board a yacht and moor it close to the Welsh coast where it would be ferried ashore on board Rigid Inflatable Boats. The plot was thwarted before it reached this stage.
• In 2008, several bales of cocaine were found washed up on beaches in north and west Wales. Each package contained drugs with an estimated street value of more than £2m. All were found and reported by members of the public.
• In October 2008, police and UK Border Agency officers intercepted a vessel docking at Port Talbot and two Venezuelan men were stopped as they left the ship. The search resulted in officers finding and seizing over 11 kilos of cocaine with 70% purity and an estimated street value of £500,000. In 2009, at Swansea Crown Court, one of the Venezuelan men was found guilty of Importation of a Class A drug and sentenced to 16 years imprisonment.

South Africa's Jacob Zuma survives no-confidence vote

South African President Jacob Zuma has survived a vote of no-confidence called by opposition parties. The vote - the first such move since the ANC came to power in 1994 - was defeated by 241 votes to 84 with eight abstentions. The motion was called by the Congress of the People (Cope) and backed by the Democratic Alliance. The vote follows an admission by President Zuma, who has three wives, that he has a child out of wedlock. The ANC has a huge parliamentary majority. Mr Zuma is in Zimbabwe, where he went to try to ease tensions in the fragile unity government. He is due to return to South Africa later. President Zuma faced sharp criticism earlier this year after it emerged he had fathered a child with Sonono Khoza, 39, the daughter of local World Cup boss Irvin Khoza. He was also accused of failing to declare his financial interests within the allotted timeframe.

SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON SATURDAY 20TH MARCH 2010

The Daily Express warns of a "spring of discontent", saying air and rail strikes threaten to cause misery for millions and on right according to The Daily Telegraph, the unrest has created a nightmare for Prime Minister Gordon Brown ahead of the general election.

NYAHURURU, Kenya, Mar 19 - Scores of Laikipia University College students on Friday thronged a local courtroom to hear a sodomy case against their colleague, prompting police to intensify security around the court premises. The students caused a stir when they entered the courtroom where Senior Resident Magistrate Alice Mong’are was presiding, prompting her to adjourn the case to enable the police to call for reinforcements. “These students are intimidating witnesses and we need more officers to provide security for the witnesses and the court. We adjourn the matter until this afternoon,” she said forcing the students to leave the stuffy courtroom in droves. The students had attended the court to hear a case in which George Kimani has denied defiling and sodomising a minor inside a room at Ewaso Nyiro Hostels at the Laikipia main campus.   Mr Kimani who is a third year Kiswahili student also denied that he indecently assaulted the girl, stealing her mobile phone worth Sh15,000 and Sh1,800 in cash. The court directed that all witnesses be securely kept at an undisclosed location within the court premises before the main witness was escorted to the magistrate’s chambers to testify. In her testimony, the minor narrated how the accused forcefully defiled and then sodomised her severally. The court heard that the girl, aged 17 years, had been lured to the hostel by the accused who claimed his wife would accommodate her for the night since travelling to Nyahururu at night was dangerous. The two had met in a matatu in Eldoret and sat next to each other while headed to Nyahururu via Nakuru.  The girl was going home, while the accused was headed back to the college which is situated roughly 10 kilometres before Nyahururu town. “He said it was risky and that his cousin had been killed in a carjacking incident. He kept instilling fear in me and I opted to spend the night after we talked to his wife. He bought me chips while he took beer,” she said. Later, the accused led the girl to a room that had no latch from inside but only from the outside which the accused locked and left. He later returned and raped the girl. When she found her way back to the chip’s shop, she narrated her ordeal and it was then that she was told she was at the Laikipia University College main campus and not Subukia.  She got a further rude shock when she learnt that the suspect had lied his name was Peter Njenga which could not be traced in the students’ register. Security officers at the university visited the room and found another student who came in at 5am in deep slumber. The witness denied claims by lawyer Joel Sigilai that other students had raped her saying she had identified the accused as there was light in the room and the other student came in at 5am and immediately fell asleep without touching her. The accused was denied bail and will remain in custody until April 24 when the hearing resumes. - CapitalFM

Police: Man Awakens To Intruder (Kenyan) In Bed With Him in Pennsylvania, USA

MOUNT WASHINGTON, Pa. - Wednesday 17th March, 2010 - Authorities are investigating an unusual break-in at a home on Mount Washington that happened early Wednesday morning. Michael Karanja Kamau, 33, of Cranberry Township, is accused of breaking down two doors and then crawling into bed with Frank Fontana, who lives inside the Sycamore Street home. Fontana told police he was sleeping and felt someone get into bed with him. Fontana said he thought it was his girlfriend coming to bed, so he called out her name. That’s when he heard a deep, male voice respond, "No, it’s not.” Fontana said he leapt out of bed so hard he broke his floor. He ran to the hallway and grabbed a baseball bat, holding the suspect at bay while he called 911. “I said, ‘Who are you? What are you doing here?’” Fontana told Channel 11 News. “He kept saying, ‘Don't hit me. Don't hit me.’ He wouldn't get down on his stomach. That's when I called 911.” Police said Kamau told them he was cold and wanted to come inside. “I wish I had a gun because this is Mount Washington, and I don't pay for people to wake up in my bed,” Fontana said. Police said Kamau appeared to be intoxicated with an odor of alcohol on his breath and bloodshot eyes but not to the point that he could not realize what was occurring. Kamau was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Allegheny County Jail. He is charged with criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

Yes, from the land of hakuna matata

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ? A Cranberry Township man is behind bars today after investigators say he broke into another man's home early this morning and got into his bed. Police say it happened around 5:30 a.m. at an apartment in the 100-block of Sycamore Street on Mt. Washington. Officials say the suspect, identified as 33-year-old Michael Kamau, is facing one count of criminal trespass and one count of criminal mischief. According to police, the victim said he had been sleeping when he felt someone get into his bed and thought it was his girlfriend. Authorities say the victim called to his girlfriend, but was "startled" when a man's voice responded. Police say the victim "jumped from his bed and grabbed a baseball bat." Officials say he used the bat to hold the suspect at bay while he called authorities and waited for them to arrive. Officials report that both the entrance doors to the residence as well as the door leading to the victim's apartment had been dislodged. Police say the suspect told police "that he was cold and wanted to come inside."  Also, police report that the suspect "appeared to be intoxicated with an odor of alcohol on this breath and bloodshot eyes." Kamau was arrested and taken to the Allegheny County Jail.

Mid-Week Whackadoo: The Creepy Spooner

The prize of Mid-Week whackadoo is awarded to Michael Karanja Kamau. Pennsylvania Police arrested the 33-year-old for breaking into a home only to spoon with a man who shall remain nameless. The nameless resident felt the human love of another person thinking it was his girlfriend. He even said her name and Michael responded with [...]

Kenya joins longest toilet queue

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 19 – A Kenyan non-governmental organisation is mobilising people to participate in the World’s Longest Toilet Queue this Saturday ahead of World Water Day on Monday.

Kenya's Parliament House Speaker Kenneth Marende Thursday appointed a 23 member committee at the ongoing MPs' retreat to look at the contentious issues after the law makers failed to agree on various issues in the proposed new constitution. The committee comprises of 7 members from Party of National Unity, 7 from Orange Democratic Movement and another 7 from the parliamentary caucus on reforms. PSC Chairman Abdikadir Mohammed and his deputy Ababu Namwamba will sit in the committee as ex-officials. The retreat has been extended to Monday and President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga will be invited to a speaker's Kamukunji on Tuesday morning. The two principals are expected to marshall their troops to the final consensus building ahead of debate on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday, the retreat to build consensus experienced a rocky start with PNU and ODM stating their hard-line positions on the contentious issues. ODM and PNU Wednesday called separate press conferences to state their positions on the draft. ODM maintained it will not back down on its demands to have among others a devolved government that is three tier, a powerful senate, representation to take into consideration the issue of both population and size, the question of land distribution be addressed adequately as well as regional equity in resource allocation.  PNU on the other hand wanted amendments made to increase the number of counties, the removal of a clause demanding fresh vetting of judges and another one stating that the President shall consult the Prime Minister in making appointments to constitutional offices and the public service.  Addressing the MPs in his opening remarks, House Speaker Kenneth Marende urged members to avoid hard-line positions and approach debate with an open mind. He told the MPs to avoid shifting positions when debate on the draft commences on Tuesday.

A Kenyan man charged with international scam in USA

A Kenyan is ready to plead guilty to a role in an international scam that investigators say duped West Virginia and at least three other states out of more than $3 million. Federal prosecutors have requested a guilty plea hearing for Collins Masese. The 20 year old was among five Kenyan nationals indicted last year on charges linking them to the scam. Investigators say West Virginia's auditor and officials in Massachusetts , Kansas and Ohio were tricked into rerouting payments due legitimate government contractors. Masese faces a conspiracy count alleging he helped set up a dummy bank account in Minneapolis to launder the proceeds. A Kenyan woman indicted separately in the scheme pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge last December.

Fox stealing the body of a baby in a London grave

The shocking practice of burying children in mass graves led to a fox stealing the body of a baby.  The newborn boy's remains were snatched from Battersea New Cemetery after he was put in an open paupers' grave with up to 12 other infants. His body has never been found and the authorities assume it was eaten by a fox.  The case is revealed today by the Standard as part of a campaign highlighting the plight of London's “dispossessed”. Our comprehensive investigation of paupers' graves, the first of its kind, has found:

* More than 1,000 Londoners have been buried in communal graves in the last three years —more than one a day.

* Some babies are being buried in pits containing up to 30 bodies.

* About 250 of those buried in the last 12 months were babies or children under 12.

* Some graves are kept open for up to two years, covered only by loose planks, leaving them exposed to scavenging animals.

The baby dug up by a fox last September at the Wandsworth council cemetery was believed to be the son of a poor  African family living in south London. His cardboard coffin had decomposed after six weeks in the ground leaving him exposed. A police spokesman said: “You do not expect something like this to happen in modern-day London, but we can confirm that a fox took the baby from the paupers' grave and that no human being was involved.  “It was extremely traumatic for every-one involved, especially the parents. Wandsworth council was told to urgently review their procedures for maintaining and securing these open' paupers' graves.” Wandsworth council has apologised to the baby's parents and now secures paupers' graves with a locked metal cover. A spokesman said: “It's your worst nightmare come true. These poor parents had just buried their son about six weeks before; now they had to deal with him being dug up and taken by a fox. The police said the remains were never found. We have to assume that the fox ate the baby.”  Wandsworth is not the only council to bury babies in Dickensian-like mass graves. Southwark buries up to 30 in a single grave, while in Kensington and Chelsea — one of Britain's richest boroughs — ­babies are buried 20 to a grave.  Islington and Camden have buried the largest number of people in communal graves — 318 between them in the last three years. Eight boroughs account for 85 per cent of the communal graves in London.

Bye bye Ruth Waruguru Kagwe

The Memorial Service of the late Ruth Waruguru Kagwe took place on Monday 15th March, 2010 at Kingsmoor Community Church, Parndon Wood Road Woodside, Harlow, Essex. The ceremony was well attended by people from all walks in UK. The body leaves UK on Sunday 21st March, 2010 accompanied by a relative of the deceased Mr. Koimbori and the son of the decased Mr. Clive Njoroge (17) while the burial takes places on Friday 26th March, 2010 at Kiambaa Village, Muguga, Kiambu, Kenya.  Above the committee and below a section of the guests in the church during the memorial service on Monday.

University cuts announced as recession bites

Most English universities are facing real-term budget cuts this year, after a government funding body announced details of a half billion pound reduction in support on Thursday. Oxford and Cambridge are among the institutions to face reductions, although the biggest loser was the London Business School who will receive 11.9 per cent less funding in cash terms than last year. Figures announced by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) show more than half of universities and colleges have been adversely affected. Sir Alan Langlands, Chief Executive of HEFCE, said the organisation had done "all that we can" to avoid hurting universities. "Managing in times of financial constraint is not easy, but we believe that universities and colleges will continue to meet the needs of students, users of research and the wider community as they have done in the past," he said. The sector will receive 7.3 billion pounds of funding from HEFCE next year, a reduction of almost half a billion pounds. The University and College Union, representing academic staff, said it feared cuts will lead to thousands of jobs being lost and increased class sizes. Academics warned that the quality of university education will inevitably suffer. "If you're trying to build a world class higher education system, provide a high quality experience for your students, and do research that has an impact on the country's economy then any cut is a step in the wrong direction," Professor Michael Arthur, Vice Chancellor of the University of Leeds, told BBC radio. Some universities have seen an increase in funding, with Worcester University seeing a rise of 11.3 per cent in real terms. Business Secretary Lord Mandelson originally announced plans for large-scale cuts to university funding last year. The sector expects further budget cuts in 2012.

"It Is Well With My Soul" By Guy Penrod And David Phelps

First bill tells a sad, interesting story of the circumstances surrounding this classic song being written, and then Guy Penrod and David Phelps do their thing and sing the song beautifully with th...- VIDEO  

A big thanks from the family

The family of the late Michael Cave (above right) would like to give our sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to those who supported us during this difficult time in our lives. We give much thanks to the relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbours, and well-wishers. Thank you for your Prayers, Condolence messages, Home visits, Moral, Material and Financial Support. With special thanks to Pastor Colin of Grays Baptist Church, Pastor Karanja of Grays Sanctuary and his wife Pastor Damaris, Hillsong Church London, Godfrey Gichuki the organiser, Pastor Josephine and the wonderful Kenyan community for their generous efforts and support. As we unable to thank all of you individually, kindly accept this gesture, as our expression of sincere gratitude and appreciation. There is room in our hearts for each of you because friends are a special treasure. We pray the Lord God Almighty richly bless your lives and the ones you love. May He pour out His blessings and enrich your lives to overcome anything that hinders your breakthroughs and progress in life. We pray that God will protect and guide you.

KQ flight crash lands at JKIA

There was panic at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as a Kenya Airways flight made a hard landing at the airport Thursday morning 18th March, 2010.  KQ chief executive officer Titus Naikuni however said all the 59 passengers and 6 crew aboard the KQ446, Boeing 737-300 flight from Bujumbura to Nairobi were evacuated from the plane and proceeded to the airport terminal. There were no reported injuries. Naikuni said the company has launched investigations into the incident and reported the incident to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). "The aircraft was taken into the hangar for checks in line with the company's strict safety regulations," said Naikuni. Meanwhile, Tanzania's Precision Air has launched its fifth new ATR42-500 plane Kenya Airways has a 49 percent stake in Precision Air which is Tanzania's leading airline.  The new plane officially launched at the Julius Nyerere International Airport bears the registration PWE and the name Kigoma in recognition of the support the business received from the people from the region. Tanzania's deputy minister for infrastructure development Hezekiah Chibulunje said the launch of the new aircraft was a milestone in the country in increasing the fleet size to cater for passenger air services.  PWE will be the fifth of seven new aircrafts that the airline has ordered from ATR of France following the signing of a deal in 2006 for the delivery of seven new aircrafts.  Under the deal ATR is required to deliver two aircrafts each for the first two years and three in the final year. The final two aircrafts will arrive in June and July this year.  Precision Air covers Tanzania's Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Mwanza, Kigoma, Tabora, Musoma, Shinyanga and Mtwara while regionally it makes flights to Nairobi, Mombasa and Entebbe. Precision Air is an airline based in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. It operates scheduled air services for tourists and business traffic between Dar es Salaam and 10 airports in Tanzania, together with flights to neighboring Kenya and Uganda. The airline started in 1987 as a crop spraying company. In 1993 it became a Scheduled and Charter Air Service Company before partnering with Kenya Airways in 2004. it partnered with Kenya Airways.

Al-Shaddai orphans home fundraising in London is in May 1st

Friends of El-Shaddai in London have organised a fundraising event to be held on Saturday 1st May 2010 at 500 High Street North Eastham London E12 6QN. To make an everlasting change in these Orphans’ Life they need to make a substantial contribution in their day to day life. They can only achieve this by first settling them at a single site location where they can call home. They are presently based on rented accommodation across two sites making it very expensive to run and serve these very needy children. They are hoping to buy them a piece of land and commence building of their own premises. Elshaddai Centre does not want to live on hand outs forever. They will probably get tired of handing out forever and this is why they want to start income generating projects such as daily and  poultry farming,  or carpentry, masonry possible once they are settled making them self sustaining in the long run. The children at the Elshaddai centre have nowhere else to call home and hence permanent premises of their own are essential. Mr. & Mrs. Brian Mukiri has been on the frontline to see this home has been helped. For more details please call either 07943043311 or 07536436061 or 07944701204. – For more information please visit - www.ehopecentre.org - CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Bank clerk who stole £120,000 found hanged

A bank clerk who fled court moments before she was due to be sentenced for stealing £120,000 has been found hanged.  The bodies of HSBC worker Bhindi Dhanji, 31, of North Circular Road, Neasden, north London, and a man believed to be her husband were discovered on Wednesday hanging from a footbridge near her home. She was facing up to six years in jail after earlier admitting two counts of theft by an employee. Judge Anthony Pitts issued a bench warrant for Dhanji's arrest on Tuesday after hearing that she panicked before her sentencing at London's Southwark Crown Court could start. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the bodies were found near the A406 Staples Corner at 6.40am on Wednesday. A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out on Friday.

Five held after kidnap cash traced

Dramatic new details have emerged about the kidnapping and release of a five-year-old British boy in Pakistan. Five people have been arrested in France and Spain after Sahil Saeed's father paid a £110,000 ransom for the safe return of his son, police said. Officers saw him hand over the money in Paris and later swooped on the suspects, according to a statement by Spanish police. Sahil, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, was on holiday with his father, Raja Naqqash Saeed, 28, in the Punjab region when he was snatched by gunmen. Interpol alerted Spanish authorities to the abduction and discovered the first call demanding a ransom was made from Spain. The boy's father returned to Manchester as instructed by the kidnappers but was then told to go to Paris with the money. Police were watching when the cash was handed over on a street in the French capital and began monitoring the suspects as they waited for news of the child's release, the statement said. Spanish police said three people - two Pakistani men and a Romanian woman - were arrested when they raided a flat in Constanti, around 60 miles from Barcelona, after the youngster was freed. Two of them had been followed from Paris. All three are due to appear in court in Spain on Thursday. Two more people, accused of helping the kidnappers, were arrested in Paris. The youngster was found by locals wandering in a field yesterday, alone but unharmed, and was handed over to Pakistani police. It is thought that his father is now flying to Pakistan to collect his son.

Man guilty of 'weapon dog' murder

London Thursday 18th March, 2010. A 22-year-old man who repeatedly stabbed a teenage boy is facing life in jail after the first case in which new dog DNA technology was used in a murder prosecution. Seyi Ogunyemi, 16, was stabbed to death in a "vicious" attack by a gang of youths said to have acted like a "pack of wild animals" as they set upon him and his friends. The murder by Chrisdian Johnson, 22, was described in court as unique because dangerous dogs were used as weapons to savage their victims before they were knifed. One of the animals, called Tyson, brought down and mauled slightly-built Seyi as he tried to escape from his pursuers over a fence. The boy stood no chance once he was in the dog's ferocious grip and was then stabbed six times by its owner Johnson. Johnson was arrested as he fled from the scene of the murder last April, bare-chested and covered in blood. New technology, used for the first time, proved by a billion-to-one probability that some of the blood came from his dog Tyson, which had been knifed during the melee. The rest was shown to come from the teenage murder victim. Police hailed the dog DNA technique, which had just been developed at the time of the murder, as a "hugely powerful investigative tool". Johnson, of Wyvil Road, south Lambeth, south London, who had been allowed to keep the dangerous dog only when a court imposed strict conditions on his ownership in late 2007, was on Thursday found guilty of murder. He was also convicted of the attempted murder of the victim's 17-year-old friend Hurui Hiyabu, said to have been lucky to survive after he was knifed nine times. Johnson's brother Shane Johnson, 20, of the same address, was cleared of both charges. A third defendant, 18-year-old Darcy Menezes, of Studley Road, Clapham, south London, was cleared earlier during the trial. The court heard that his dog, a female adult brindle Staffordshire terrier called Mia, also took part in the attack, but a judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to show Menezes was involved. A decision on whether to destroy the dogs has not yet been made. The convictions come shortly after the Government announced new measures designed to tackle the problem of dogs being used as weapons. Johnson was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Friday.

Probe as lorry collision caught on camera

An astonishing video has been captured of a lorry driving on the A1 with a Renault Clio stuck to its radiator - and its driver still inside. Fortunately, the person in the supermini emerged unhurt after the lorry driver realised what was happening and came to a stop. The lorry appears to have been travelling at around 60mph in the fast lane of the A1(M) near Wetherby in West Yorkshire. The driver apparently knew nothing about the blue Renault he was pushing along at speed.  In the video, shot on a mobile phone from another car, one of the shocked witnesses can be heard shouting, “he hasn't seen it!” It's not known how the situation unfolded, but Arclid Transport, the lorry company, is now investigating. A spokesman for Arclid told Sky News Online that "an incident did happen along that stretch of the motorway and we opened an investigation and reported the matter to the police." - VIDEO

Five-year-old took 4x4 on joyride

A five-year-old boy took his family's automatic 4x4 on a four-mile "joyride" before crashing it into a wall, it has been disclosed  Several motorists dialled 999 after spotting a Mitsubishi Shogun being driven erratically and slowly by a small boy on roads east of Chichester, West Sussex, just after 7am on Thursday. At around the same time, the boy's father reported to police that his son had driven off in the family vehicle moments beforehand. A short while later the 4x4 hit a wall in Pook Lane, Lavant, and Sussex Police believe the boy had travelled just over four miles from his home before crashing. The child, who has not been identified, was taken to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester as a precaution but appears to have been uninjured and was reunited with his family. A driver who had been briefly following the Shogun took care of the boy while police and an ambulance were called, said a force spokesman. Police later received reports of three other vehicles, two of which were parked, being damaged by the Shogun but nobody was injured. The 4x4 was first seen by drivers travelling along a short stretch of the A27 between Tangmere and the junction with the A285, then up to Halnaker and then across country to Lavant. The force spokesman said: "Police believe that the car travelled just over four miles from the address. Several witnesses have spoken of it being driven at a slow speed, but erratically." Officers have met with the family to explain what happened but no further action will be taken, the spokesman added. Pc Mark Ryan, of Sussex Police's road policing unit based at Chichester, said: "This was a remarkable incident and both the boy and other road users clearly had a lucky escape, as a serious collision could have happened at any stage."

New password-stealing virus targets Facebook

Hackers have flooded the Internet with virus-tainted spam that targets Facebook's estimated 400 million users in an effort to steal banking passwords and gather other sensitive information. The emails tell recipients that the passwords on their Facebook accounts have been reset, urging them to click on an attachment to obtain new login credentials, according to anti-virus software maker McAfee Inc. If the attachment is opened, it downloads several types of malicious software, including a program that steals passwords, McAfee said on Wednesday. Hackers have long targeted Facebook users, sending them tainted messages via the social networking company's own internal email system. With this new attack, they are using regular Internet email to spread their malicious software. A Facebook spokesman said the company could not comment on the specific case, but pointed to a status update the company posted on its web site earlier on Wednesday warning users about the spoofed email and advising users to delete the email and to warn their friends. McAfee estimates that hackers sent out tens of millions of spam across Europe, the United States and Asia since the campaign began on Tuesday. Dave Marcus, McAfee's director of malware research and communications, said that he expects the hackers will succeed in infecting millions of computers. "With Facebook as your lure, you potentially have 400 million people that can click on the attachment. If you get 10 percent success, that's 40 million," he said. The email's subject line says "Facebook password reset confirmation customer support," according to Marcus.

LONDON is the angriest city in Britain and Lambeth is its seething, molten core, according to a study by experts in the field of fiery tempers. The British Association of Anger Management says that after Lambeth, the bad-vibes league reads: Enfield, Barnet, Westminster, Lewisham and Hammersmith/Fulham, giving London the top six angriest areas in the country.

That happy breed helps London as a whole claim the angry capital tag, with Manchester and Birmingham taking silver and bronze in the Grrr stakes. BAAM hasn't got a special hi-tech anger-measuring gizmo, but bases its report on social deprivation figures such as crime stats and unemployment figures as well as its own database covering things like road rage.

"Anger is not only on the increase but could be
reaching pandemic levels," said BAAM's Mike Fisher.       

                                                                           An angry man is an ugly man

The High Court in Malindi wants a British woman investigated to establish whether she is committing polyandry by being married to two men, a Kenyan and a Briton. Lady Justice Hellen Omondi ordered the Department of Civil Registration to confirm whether Ms Karen Briedley had committed polyandry by being married to two men at the same time. This came up during a bond application by two lawyers representing Brieley and her daughter Antoinette who have been in custody after denying a charge of being in the country illegally. Ms Briedley's two lawyers presented two different versions of her stay in the country, which also indicated that she was married to a Briton and a Kenyan at the same time. The first defence lawyer, Mr. James Mouko, said Karen and her husband Mark Briedley were both investors and the husband left with their youngest child for treatment in the UK.  But the court was taken by surprise when the second lawyer, Mr. Richard Otara, produce a copy of another marriage certificate dated May 14, 2009 indicating the woman was married to Kenyan Jamil Mohamed Shee.  "Ms Karen is legally married to Mr. Shee as per copy of the marriage certificate dated May 14, 2009 and the marriage took place in Malindi," Jamal told Lady Justice Omondi. Malindi Chief Magistrate Lucy Gitari had remanded the mother and daughter after they denied the charge of being in the country without valid documents.  Senior Immigration Officer Julius Cobia said the duo's immigration status was questionable and applied for their deportation. He also opposed bail saying they could abscond court sessions. Otara asked the High Court to overturn the lower court's decision to deny his clients bond arguing that Ms Karen had another court case and that she could not travel outside the country since her passport had expired while her daughter was a minor. He said the magistrate's court had failed to appreciate the fact that the accused persons could not express themselves about other facts surrounding their stay in the country. But Lady Justice Omondi upheld the magistrate's ruling and dismissed the application for bond. She also ordered the officer in charge of the Malindi GK Prison to present Antoinette before a medical doctor for age assessment.

A Kenyan lady bites off a man's ear in Kentucky, Minneapolis, USA

Thirty-year-old Susan Mukuhi Mwarabu was charged with biting part of a man's ear off at at a restaurant on March 14, 2010.

An intoxicated woman horrified diners at a St. Paul, Minn. restaurant in Kentucky, Minneapolis, USA as she ripped part of a man’s ear off with her teeth, spit it out, then picked it up and put it back into her mouth before leaving. Susan Mukuhi Mwarabu, 30, was arrested on third-degree assault — inflicting substantial bodily harm — 4 a.m. after the bizarre attack on Monday at the Uptowner restaurant.  According to a criminal complaint, Mwarabu–a sixth grade reading and language teacher–was allegedly drunk and eating with a group of three other women at a table. The victim, a 33-year-old male was with a group of friends at another table. One of his friends made a comment about one of the women at Mwarabu’s table eating french fries. That’s when Mwarabu approached the man and “leaned down, licked his face and appeared as if she was going to throw up.” The man pushed her away. She then approached the victim and licked his ear, but when he pushed her away she leaned in and bit part of his ear off. “He was in shock,” and bleeding a friend of the victim said in the complaint. An employee then told the women to leave, but a witness says as Mwarabu left the restaurant she picked the missing piece of the ear off the floor and put it back in her mouth. The victim was taken to a hospital where he was told by a plastic surgeon that some of his ear will grow back.

Mwarabu is on paid administrative leave while the investigation continues. St. Paul Police responded to the scene around 4:22 a.m. Sunday at the Uptowner Café, at Grand and Lexington. Police spoke with a man who said a woman bit part of his ear off then put the piece of his ear in her mouth. He told police he was dining at the Café, next to a table of four women. He stated that he didn't know the women but a friend of his commented about how one of the women was eating French fries. At this point, one woman, later identified as Susan Mukuhi Mwarabu, 30, looked over at his friend. The man said she appeared to be intoxicated.  She then walked up to the man's friend, leaned down, licked his face and appeared as if she was going to throw up, according to the man.  He said she then turned towards him and licked his ear. As he moved back away from her, Mwarabu bit off part of his ear. He told police he was bleeding and in shock at what had happened.  An employee of the Café then told the women to leave. A friend of the man said he saw Mwarabu pick up the piece of his ear off the ground and put it in her mouth.  The man was treated by a plastic surgeon and told that some of the ear would grow back. The surgeon said they would have to wait to see if additional surgery would be necessary.  Police said Mwarabu is a 6th grade teacher at Northfield Middle School. Officers had to use pepper spray to arrest her. Mwarabu made her first court appearance Monday afternoon 15th March, 2010. Judge Marybeth Dorn ordered a conditional release for her to Project Remand, or she must post a $5,000 bail bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled April 5, 2010.

ANNOUNCMENT!

NEW BRISTOL OFFICE LOCATION

Kesom Freight International Limited are pleased to announce the opening of their OWN office in Bristol.

Kesom Freight International Ltd,

Next to Beauty Queen Cosmetics

229-231 Stapleton Road

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BS5 0PG

Office Tel:      0117 951 6161

Mobile:          07930508058/07932450835'

 This office can offer a full Freight forwarding service, including Imports, Exports by air & sea worldwide plus receiving & handling of cargo for our KENYAN consolidation service

www.kesomfreight.com

IKO NINI BWANA SEED ARCHIVE

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