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WHAT UK NEWSPAPERS SAY - IKO NINI BWANA SEED ARCHIVE LONDON :
Martyns & Rose Solicitors - CAPITALfm RADIO fff - KAMEME RADIO IS BACK AGAIN
Tourists Rescued After 18 Hours In Cable Car Emergency helicopters have rescued 20 people who were trapped in a cable car in southern Germany for over 18 hours. The passengers were stuck overnight after a paraglider tandem flight crashed into its cable on Friday and strong winds hindered the rescue. The 19 tourists and one cable car operator were hanging 100m (330ft) above the ground on the Tegelberg mountain. A mountain rescue specialist was lowered into the gondola to provide food and clothing to the trapped people who ranged in age from four to 75. He then stayed with them while they waited for more help. The first to be airlifted from the gondola were two men, then four children and then everyone else. The entire rescue operation took about two hours, and more than 200 emergency personnel were on site, Bavaria's mountain rescue service said. The 1,880m (6,170ft) Tegelberg is within sight of one of Germany's most popular tourist attractions, Neuschwanstein Castle, which is often viewed as the inspiration for one of Walt Disney's fairy tale castles. The two paragliders, a 54-year-old pilot and a 35-year-old passenger, were also rescued by helicopter and suffered only minor injuries. Police have opened an investigation.
Is Kenya staring at economic recession?
There are telltale signs that the economy could be slipping into a slowdown at best or a recession at worst, as a several economic shocks badly batter the water points of the economy. Kenya’s economic trouble that began six months ago has entered a new, far more serious phase. Lingering hopes that the damage could be contained have evaporated after this week’s free fall of the shilling that hit a record low of Sh95 to the dollar. On the other economic fronts, all signs point to the country slipping towards a recession, with all indicators, from macro-economic stability, inflation, interest rates to foreign exchange reserves moving downhill. On the political front, things are not in good shape either, as the country approaches an election year that has the potential to disrupt the little confidence that is still remaining. There’s also a growing sense of wariness about the health of the country’s trading partners – Europe, the US, and neighbouring East Africa States. While the outlined are the realities, today, the country is grappling with biting drought, food shortage, high cost of fuel, rising inflation that has climbed to 15.3 per cent, rising interest rates, a weak shilling, bear stock market, rising unemployment, depreciating foreign reserves, and runaway cost of living. "These factors might well prove the straw that breaks the camel’s back. The economy feels as if it is in the rumble in the jungle and has just gone the first five rounds with George Foreman," said Aly-khan Satchu an investment analyst. "Clearly, we are going to see GDP take a hit. Estimates have been ranging from 5.3 per cent to 5.7 per cent, but I think those are very rose-tinted now. The inflationary burst we have witnessed will surely accelerate."
Hostile environment With analysts down grading the Government’s 5.4 per cent GDP forecast, citing that this target will be beyond the Treasury’s reach, given the prevailing hostile economic environment, all appear gloomy. Many now see the economy resembling a patient in intensive care and the illness seems to be overwhelming the self-healing tendencies of markets. Millions are at the risk of starvation. Power bills are up, the level of activity at the Nairobi Stock Exchange has nosedived, cost of food has skyrocketed through the roof and the value of the shilling has depreciated to a record new low – all in three months. In addition, the cost of fuel, which drives almost all sectors of the economy has also risen. Banks have also revised upwards their interest rates despite signals from the market regulator, the Central Bank to the contrary. Those who study the economy closely say that we may well be headed into a recession – or at least a slowdown in economic growth – given the downward trend of key indicators. The cost of electricity has risen to a 14 month-high as from May due to increased use of expensive diesel-driven power generators, further fuelling inflation. This follows the recent adjustment of the fuel cost component – a cost item on the bills linked to the amount of electricity generated from fuel – that has increased from Sh5.73 to Sh6.15, the highest level since April last year. The adjustment has not gone down well with manufacturers who have expressed concern that Kenya’s market is uncompetitive and that some of them were considering relocating.
In the end, the manufacturers say, it is the consumer who will pay the rise in cost through price adjustments. According to statistics, Kenya’s economy expanded by 4.9 per cent in the first quarter of the year, helped by improved productivity in the construction, financial services, transport and communication sectors. And that is as far as the good news goes. Analysts are now warning that a surge in inflation and acute shortage of food since April could hurt growth in the second, third and fourth quarters of the economy impacting negatively on overall output by year end. Year-on-year inflation rate has risen for the ninth month in a row to hit the 15.53 per cent last month, from 14.49 per cent in June. This is against the target of five per cent that is set by CBK for optimum economic growth. Economists say that persistent rise in inflation ultimately leads to a rise in interest rates – the cost of borrowing for the sake of investment or otherwise – leading to a reduced number of new investment start-ups and overly a dim in the economic growth prospects. Already, most banks have increased their interest rates by between 1.5 per cent and two per cent. They cite rising inflation and other economic realities. "Inflation is like a virus. What is happening is not business as usual," said Adan Mohamed, managing director for Barclays in East and West Africa, while announcing the bank’s financial results recently. "If somebody has to make a choice between putting food on the table or paying a bank loan, I think the decision will be very clear." As financial institutions increase the cost of borrowing, there is concern that the emerging development is bound to stifle economic growth by strangling new investments.
Then there is the other factor – level of activity at the stock market.
The week in photos
A man rests on a floating mattress at the Guadalquivir river in Seville, southern Spain, on Tuesday. Temperatures were forecast to exceed 41 degrees Celsius (106F) in many parts of Spain on Thursday, with peaks of 38 to 44 degrees (100-111F) in the south. On right this dramatic image showing terrified pyjama-clad victim of arson Monika Konczyk, 32, leaping from a south London flat made the front pages of national newspapers and has been hailed as deserving a Pulitzer Prize. Following the death of Mark Duggan last week, disorder and chaos spread across the UK, causing five deaths, looting and burned-down buildings.
WHERE ARE WE HEADING? A few weeks ago, Kenyan lawyers demonstrated to the Nairobi Lands office in protest about the corruption in those offices. The demonstrating lawyers knew what they were doing. The extent of the corruption in land offices might kill the property industry in Kenya. Two areas of concern in Kenya today is the land office and the banking industry where theft of customer accounts is at alarming rate. The worst of this two cases is that the employees from this institutions are joining hands with crooks to steal. Some reliable sources at the lands office explains that there some cases where some land brokers corroborates with those in the land registry to replace the official ownership documents when going for search and when the search is over they return the correct documents back. Some employees at the land registry has been helping with fake title deeds which are true original copies. This also goes to the banking industry where some employees in some back are helping in production of ITM Cards and pin numbers to steal from accounts and especially for those reflecting that the owners are abroad. Full story coming soon.
ICC rejects Ocampo three deferment plea
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected a joint request by Eldoret North MP William Ruto and radio presenter Joshua arap Sang to extend the confirmation of charges hearings. Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey who also asked the court to extend the date on Friday has his application rejected. While issuing the ruling, presiding Judge Ekaterina Trendafilova said the explanations given by the three suspects were not satisfactory and cited them as efforts of delaying the court process. She said they had the best lawyers as they had claimed to the court and she expected them to act professionally. “The Single Judge has carefully reviewed Mr Ruto and Mr Sang joint application together with the annexes as well as Mr Kosgey’s application, and based on her examination she wishes to express her dissatisfaction with the manner in which the defence teams of the suspects approach the upcoming confirmation hearing,” part of the ruling read. “Knowing that the suspects have chosen their lawyers among those highly qualified in the field, it is her expectations that the defence teams perform their tasks with full professionalism and without any attempt to delay the Chamber in performing its mandate at the critical moments before the start of the confirmation hearing,” the statement further read. Judge Trendafilova further said that during the initial appearances in April she announced that the time set for September 1 was sufficient enough for the defence to prepare for the confirmation of charges hearings. She said at the time she stressed on the critical consideration of adhering to the court calendar strictly to avoid interfering with the ICC processes unnecessarily. She said the defence was also well and early informed of the confirmation hearing date for about five months hence the excuses given were not worth the postponement. Mr Ruto and Mr Sang through their lawyers had also said the internet in Kenya was slow, one of the reasons they wanted the confirmation of charges hearings postponed by six weeks. - CapitalFM
83 per cent of the rioters caught in UK are adults
COUNCILLOR MUNYAMBU IN CANADA
Councillor Daniel Munyambu of Basingdon, Essex is Canada. He arrived in Canada from USA on Sunday 7th August, 2011 for a short visit. While in Toronto City councillor Munyambu met a Toronto City Councillor Michael Thompson (above left) in his office. During their meeting they agreed to be sharing ideas across the Atlantic in order to improve the wellbeing of their communities. He will be meeting some MPs today Friday 12th August, 2011. He will be back to UK at the end of the month.
PCEA UK OUTREACH MEN'S BREAKFAST  PCEA Men Fellowship held their monthly breakfast meeting on Saturday 6th August, 2011. The meeting was well attended by men from different churches. After breakfast, the resident pastor Edwin Kibathi opened the ceremony with a word of prayer. Several issues were discussed at the meeting among them family issues and SACCO investments.
WORD OF TODAY
Colossians 3:8-15 (Bible in Basic English)Now it is right for you to put away all these things 8 But now it is right for you to put away all these things; wrath, passion, bad feeling, curses, unclean talk; 9 Do not make false statements to one another; because you have put away the old man with all his doings, 10 And have put on the new man, which has become new in knowledge after the image of his maker; I take this opportunity to invite you in our pray Conference Prayer every Morning from 6-7a.m. call this local number in UK Tel 02030042084 pin No.67299# and you will be able to join us for prayers. It is a free number with landline in UK.
Our Guest Singer Today is Jimmy Gaits a young man from Kenya - CLICK HERE
THEME: PROPHETIC SUMMIT CONFERENCE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBIhyDr8Rls&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBIhyDr8Rls&feature=youtu.be
The week in photos
A dog catches a frisbee during the Russian dog frisbee championship in Moscow. Dogs and their owners took part in a variety of distance and accuracy competitions during the championship to test their frisbee skills. On right a man rests on a floating mattress at the Guadalquivir river in Seville, southern Spain, on Tuesday. Temperatures were forecast to exceed 41 degrees Celsius (106F) in many parts of Spain on Thursday, with peaks of 38 to 44 degrees (100-111F) in the south.
First death by vampire bat in US
A teenager from Mexico became the first person in the United States to die after being bitten by a vampire bat and infected with rabies, US health authorities said on Thursday. The 19-year-old man was a migrant farm worker who had been bitten on the heel by a vampire bat in his native Michoacan on July 15, 2010, 10 days before he left for the United States to pick sugar cane at a plantation in Louisiana. "This case represents the first reported human death from a vampire bat rabies virus variant in the United States," said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in its Morbidity and Mortality weekly report. The unusually aggressive form of rabies had an incubation period of just 15 days, compared to the median 85 days seen in other cases of human rabies in the United States, the CDC said. Although vampire bat populations are currently confined to Latin America, climate change could be forcing their populations northward, leading to more cases of human infection in the southern United States, the CDC warned. The patient had never received a rabies vaccine and fell ill about two weeks after he was bitten by the blood-sucking creature. At the end of July, after one day of working in the fields, the man sought medical help for fatigue, shoulder pain, numbness in his left hand and a drooping left eye. He soon developed respiratory distress and a 101.1-degree fever (38.4 Celsius). "During the next several days, the patient became gradually less responsive to external stimuli, developed fixed and dilated pupils, and began having episodes of bradycardia (slow heartbeat) and hypothermia," the CDC said. Tests showed he had developed encephalitis, or swelling of the brain. On August 20, samples of his spinal fluid confirmed a diagnosis of rabies. A subsequent brain scan revealed severe impairment. His family decided to take him off life support and the man died shortly after. Postmortem tests on his brain tissue "determined the variant to be a vampire bat rabies virus variant," the CDC said. The case "highlights the growing importance of bats in public health," added the CDC, urging the public to avoid contact with vampire bats and get vaccinated if possible. "Research suggests that the range of these bats might be expanding as a result of changes in climate," it said. "Expansion of vampire bats into the United States likely would lead to increased bat exposures to both humans and animals (including domestic livestock and wildlife species) and substantially alter rabies virus dynamics and ecology in the southern United States." The United States has documented a total of 32 cases of human rabies, mostly from a canine rabies variant, since the year 2000, eight of which were acquired abroad. Two of the cases originated in Mexico. Vampire bats are bloodsucking nocturnal mammals that are typically found in Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. They usually feed on sleeping wildlife and livestock, but sometimes bite people, too. - VIDEO
Gitahi's family in UK have lost their father back in Kenya the late Peter Njoroge Gitahi in Kenyatta hospital on Friday 12th August, 2011 Poleni sana Mama Gitahi, Macharia, Wanjiku, Watiri, Pastor Loise Gitahi and Mr. Gitahi. The family are from Ndunduri, Ol Kalou, Nyandarua, Kenya.
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What is Goose barnacle sea food? Pollicipes pollicipes
One kg. of goose barnacles can cost 150 € (£132) in the fish market, depending on the season and the size of the crustacean. Goose barnacles are odd-looking crustaceans usually found in quite deep water. Occasionally they can be found on debris that has become dislodged from the sea bed and washed up on the shore. They are found in oceans the world over, except in Arctic regions. Gooseneck barnacles live on rocky shores, to which they attach by means of a strong, flexible stalk (called a peduncle). The stalk may be 10cm or more in length and is strong enough to ensure that the gooseneck barnacle stays firmly fixed in place, even with a constant battering from the waves. Gooseneck barnacles also attach to the hulls of ships, pieces of driftwood, and other floating debris. A gooseneck barnacle can itself become a home for other animals, including young gooseneck barnacles or adult acorn barnacles (the common, cone-shaped barnacles found on many British shores). The main body of the gooseneck barnacle is at the end of the stalk, and it is protected by a series of white or grey triangular plates of different sizes. The number of plates grows as the animal ages, and can reach more than 100 in total. Gooseneck barnacles feed when they are underwater, extending feathery feeding tentacles to gather particles of food. Barnacles come from the Atlantic, like most of the Galician products. Favourable geographical and climatic conditions make Galicia at the top of the list in gastronomy. Seafood in Galicia is considered to be a sacred religion and goose barnacles are extremely demanding due to its sublime flavour. Shellfish collectors are considerate and respectable workers as they risk their lives to collect barnacles. Traditionally these collectors are women, specially in the riviera, collecting clams, razor-shells and mussels. However, due to the nature of the job and the difficult conditions, barnacle collectors are mostly men. - MORE
New pictures of huge Mars crater emerge
Ever wanted to see what the surface of Mars looks like? Well now you can as Nasa releases some very clear colour images of a never-before-explored crater on the surface of the rocky planet. The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity arrived at the west rim of the Endeavour crater on Wednesday after a 13-mile journey which took three years. Scientists have said that the crater is 14 miles in diameter and more than 25 times wider than anything that the golf-buggy-sized robot has previously explored since it touched down on Mars in 2004. According to Nasa, the Endeavour crater offers access to older geological deposits than any Opportunity has seen before, and such research may be a clue as to whether there have ever been habitable conditions on the planet. This is the real view of the portion of the crater and looks just like a dry desert on Earth. This is the same photo presented in false colour to emphasize the differences among materials in the rocks and the soils. The crater was picked after the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter observed clay minerals at the site from its orbit, and experts believe the discovery may indicate evidence of a warmer, wetter history on the planet. Matthew Golombek, a Mars Exploration Rover science team member at Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory explained what the exploration of Endeavour means. He said: “We're soon going to get the opportunity to sample a rock type the rovers haven't seen yet. Clay minerals form in wet conditions so we may learn about a potentially habitable environment that appears to have been very different from those responsible for the rocks comprising the plains.” It is said that Endeavour is likely to be the last crater explored by the rover.
Brace for very cold weather, Kenya Met warns The month of August has seen temperatures dropping to very low values. A statement by the Meteorological department shows that Nyahururu had the lowest temperature of 4.8 degrees Celsius last week. This week temperatures in Nyahururu have been below 13 degrees Celsius while in Nairobi temperatures has ranged between 13 and 21 degrees Celsius. Deputy Director of Meteorological Services Peter Ambenje says the current very low temperatures have been exacerbated by the persistent cloud cover that is preventing the sun's rays from penetrating. Ambenje says the current weather will continue until the end of the month. He advised the public to be careful how they dress in the cold season especially those in the Central highlands namely, Nairobi, Murang'a, Meru, Nyahururu as health complications arising from low temperatures could cause respiratory ailments, such as flu, pneumonia and asthma attacks. "Health authorities are expected to be on the lookout to facilitate supply of drugs necessary to combat these diseases," says the statement by the Meteorological Department. During the night and early morning, foggy and drizzly conditions are likely to result in reduced visibility in Nairobi, Central Province and parts of Rift Valley could compromise safety on the road and motorists are asked to be cautious. The statement warns that thick fog associated with poor visibility could affect operations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Safaricom launches new security pin
Safaricom customers can now protect their Bonga Points through a new PIN (personal identification number)-based security system. The new feature launched Friday is meant to discourage unauthorized transfer of Bonga Points, under the popular loyalty scheme. Safaricom recently announced new features to the loyalty program, enabling customers to transfer their Bonga Points to family and friends as way of improving customer experience. While the transfer functionality has been well-received and has been a runaway success, it has in some cases resulted in unwarranted and unauthorized transfer of loyalty points from certain subscribers' accounts. "Safaricom is continuously innovating as we seek to improve customer experience in our offering and entire value proposition. This is one instance where we have listened to customer feedback and used it to improve our services," Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore noted. Launched in January 23, 2007 the Bonga Points program is open to all PrePay and PostPay subscribers, and has been a major driver of customer loyalty on the Safaricom network. Bonga Points may be redeemed for rewards ranging from free minutes, SMS, MMS and data bundles to devices at any Safaricom Shop countrywide from as low as 25 points. The points can also be transferred to a fellow subscriber, under the latest innovation on the program.
BUYING LAND IN KENYA -BE WARNED
The Lands ministry is expected to gazette new and more stringent guidelines for anyone searching its land registry records following fears that scores of people are holding fake title deeds for land and property. The new rules and guidelines will be released amidst fears that some landowners especially in Athi River, Kitengela and Mlolongo areas may be holding fake title deeds.
A LUO PROVERB Ng'ato ka ng'ato ng'odo e atongane. Everyone cuts meat and puts into his/her basket. Basically every person takes care of his welfare first before he/she thinks of others
WORD OF TODAY
John 15:1-15 (Bible in Basic English)Jesus the True Vine I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. 2 He takes away every branch in me which has no fruit, and every branch which has fruit he makes clean, so that it may have more fruit. 3 You are clean, even now, through the teaching which I have given you. 4 Be in me at all times as I am in you. As the branch is not able to give fruit of itself, if it is not still on the vine, so you are not able to do so if you are not in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches: he who is in me at all times as I am in him, gives much fruit, because without me you are able to do nothing. 6 If a man does not keep himself in me, he becomes dead and is cut off like a dry branch; such branches are taken up and put in the fire and burned. 7 If you are in me at all times, and my words are in you, then anything for which you make a request will be done for you. 8 Here is my Father's glory, in that you give much fruit and so are my true disciples. 9 Even as the Father has given me his love, so I have given my love to you: be ever in my love. 10 If you keep my laws, you will be ever in my love, even as I have kept my Father's laws, and am ever in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that I may have joy in you and so that your joy may be complete. 12 This is the law I give you: Have love one for another, even as I have love for you. 13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man gives up his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends, if you do what I give you orders to do. 15 No longer do I give you the name of servants; because a servant is without knowledge of what his master is doing: I give you the name of friends, because I have given you knowledge of all the things which my Father has said to me. I take this opportunity to invite you in our pray Conference Prayer every Morning from 6-7a.m. call this local number in UK Tel 02030042084 pin No.67299# and you will be able to join us for prayers. It is a free number with landline in UK.
Our Guest Singer Today is Gloria Muliro from Western Kenya - CLICK HERE
OVERHEARD BY MR. SEED: "These policemen of UK are helpless during the riots, if is Nigeria five policemen would have done the job." explains a Nigerian man. "No, no, no if it is in Kenya two policeman would have cleared the rioters." explained a Kenyan man and then the shopkeeper shouted: "No, no, no if it is in Afghanistan a half policeman would done the job." explains shopkeeper a Turkish man.
BEATRICE KARANJA SHINES AT SWAHILI SERVICE
Mrs. Beatrice Karanja had an excellent concert at CCBC Swahili Service on Sunday 6th August, 2011. Beatrice seen above performing while her husband Mr. Karanja (far right) gets ready to take a snap of his wife who performed very well at the service. Mr. Karanja almost asked the big question: "Uyu no uria wakwa?"
Family Bank refunds cash taken by thief from trader’s account
A businesswoman whose money had been withdrawn from her account by fraudsters on Thursday smiled all the way to the bank when her cash was refunded. Family Bank reimbursed the money that had been withdrawn from Ms Regina Njeri Njoroge’s bank account in phantom transactions on July 8 and 9 this year. Ms Njoroge was jubilant when she spoke to the Nation yesterday evening after her account displayed a balance of Sh434,665.95. She had only been left with Sh32,000 after the fraudsters raided the account. On Thursday, the Nation reported how her account was milked of the money in July 2011 (and not between 2008 and 2009 as we reported by error on Thursday) in over-the-counter withdrawals at the bank’s branches in Westlands, Limuru, Naivasha, Nakuru and Njoro. She discovered the money was missing on July 12 this year, when she went to the Family Bank’s Githurai branch in Nairobi to withdraw Sh40,000. She alerted the bank and since then, Ms Njoroge said, she visited the bank many times, including its headquarters at Four Way Towers, without success until the story was published on Thursday. During every visit, she said, she was told to wait a little longer. To make matters worse, her account had been frozen so she could not withdraw what was left in the account. Ms Njoroge said: “I am very happy now. I did not think the matter would be solved. I have received all my money,” she said over the phone. “I hold no grudge. All I wanted was to get my money back because it disappeared through no fault of my own.” Banks usually require a customer making such transactions to present an identity card and in the case of Family Bank, a photocard issued by the bank and a signature stored in their database. - Daily Nation
A woman lynched for eating human flesh-Swahili (August 12, 2011) Uchungu wa mwana aujuae ni mzazi. Msemo huu ulikuwa kama kinaya huko lugari pale mama wa watoto wanne alipouawa kwa njia ya kutatanisha kwa madai alikuwa akiwala nyama ya binadamu, hasa watoto. Wenyeji walivamia nyumba ya mama huyo maria nanjala na kuiteketeza moto, kabla ya kumkatakata kwa panga. Alifariki baadaye katika zahanati mmoja. Majirani pia walidai mama huyo alijaribu kumla nyama mwanawe. Mkuu wa wilaya ya lukuyani hata hivyo alikanusha madai hayo akisema mtoto wa mama huyo alikuwa amelazwa hospitali kitale. - VIDEO
Defiant MPs pick top team for tax battle
Members of Parliament rejected an ultimatum by Kenya Revenue Authority, reprimanded Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka for bowing to taxman’s pressure, and formed a committee to renegotiate tax on their incomes. But they also shoved their secret trump card onto the table: A threat to the Government to let them have their way or they shoot down the 2011-2012 Budget, thereby precipitating unprecedented governance and financial crisis It also emerged the MPs were least concerned tax payment is now a condition for clearance to run for senior public offices, a fact demonstrated in the recent advertisements for judicial jobs as well as positions in the Independent Election and Boundaries Commission. - VIDEO
Kibaki, Raila to shuffle Cabinet and name AG President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga are expected to name a new Attorney-General and carry out a mini Cabinet reshuffle next week. The two principals have been consulting to end a stalemate over the two issues that have been at the centre of a row between them for the past three months. Interviews with people close to both the President and the PM revealed that they have overcome the sticky issues on the naming of the next AG to replace Mr Amos Wako, who is scheduled to quit Sheria House by August 27. It was also understood that Mr Odinga will finally have his way in his bid to replace suspended ministers William Ruto and Henry Kosgey, who have declared their loyalty to another party. Sources said the principals held meetings over the issues last week and early this week as the urgency to appoint a new AG and other constitutional office holders gathered pace.
Tatu city project gets approval from council
The multi-billion shilling real estate firm, Tatu has entered advanced stages with its regulatory approval process for phase one, giving it an edge to break ground before the end of the year. The project which will be developed in 10 phases requires slightly more than 25 approvals from regulatory bodies under infrastructure including change of land use, water and electricity generation and supply, approval to build road networks within the city and similar approvals. Speaking Thursday at a lecture hosted by Strathmore University to enlighten the public on the benefits of planned urbanization, Tatu City Chairman, Nahashon Nyaga commended the government for its support, confirming that the project had already received approval from the Ruiru Municipal Council allowing for change of land user from coffee farm to comprehensive user. "This is a revolutionary approach to urbanization in Africa and it's beginning in Kenya. We are very grateful for the support that the government has accorded and especially the local government. It is notable what the Vision 2030 has achieved thus far and we are seeing their influence in the policies that are now accommodating projects of this magnitude," he said. He also confirmed that the council was also in advanced stages of reviewing the applications for approval of the Precinct Plan for Phase 1A. Tatu City has also been given the green light by National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) after it published the Environmental Assessment (SEA) survey for public comment. This follows a comprehensive review of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) survey, a regulatory process carried out by NEMA under the terms of the Environment Management and Coordination Act. The 60-day statutory requirement period has already lapsed, advancing the process to the next level. "Tatu City is the first private entity to go through the environmental assessment and the most comprehensive assessment to date. NEMA has carried out and completed five SEAs in the country's history and all have been government projects. We are impressed by the level of professionalism that NEMA is handling the process," commented Nyaga. The SEA survey includes an extensive survey of the site's environment which includes the socio-economic & demographic and natural resources features. It evaluates the impact of the planned project on the environment, and reviews how project developers plan to manage potential environmental risks. Nyaga however acknowledged that there were some challenges in following up on some of the approvals. "A project of this magnitude has not been carried out in Kenya before and even for the various regulatory/approval authorities, it is a first experience. Delays are therefore possible. We work closely with the authorities to explain the concept and resolve any concerns on their part," he said.
A MAASAI PROVERB Menye marrmali, menye maata. Father of troubles, father without. The father of a child has troubles, but the man without a child has even more since he is not respected.
Bishop Arthur Kitonga for UK Ordination next week
Bishop Dr. Arthur Kitonga the founder of Redeemed Gospel Church Kenya will be coming to UK next month of August, 2011. The bishop will be officiating the ordination of Pastor Moffat and Jayne Kaaria in Kent, UK. The couple, founders of God's Love Mission Church in Chatham, Kent. The ceremony will take place on Saturday 20th August as from 2.00 p.m. and revival meetings on Saturday and Sunday 20th and 21st August, 2011 at Hook Meadow Community Centre, King George Road, Chatham, Kent, ME5 0TZ as from 6.00 to 9.00 p.m. on both days. For more information contact 07852114894 or 07950218785. Some $4 trillion wiped off world stocks in 2 weeks
Some $4 trillion (2.47 trillion pounds) has been wiped off the value of world stocks this month on concerns the euro zone debt crisis is spreading to Italy and Spain and hurting Europe's banking system, and the global economy is falling into recession. The sum wiped off the MSCI All-Country World Index .MIWD00000PUS - about one seventh of its value - is almost equivalent to the size of combined economies of Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Greece. The sell-off this week knocked nearly $1.6 trillion off the market capitalisation of the global benchmark after last week's $2.5 trillion loss. The valuation of the benchmark is currently $24.84 trillion. The U.S. S&P 500 .SPX alone has lost more than $710 billion this week after losing $850 billion the previous week, while European shares measured by the MSCI Europe .MSCIEU have lost almost $500 billion this week.
A KIKUYU PROVERB Mûciari ndairagio ngoro nî kîmira kîa mwana wake Parents do not feel sick when wiping the mucus from their child's nose
Kenya MPs agree to pay taxes on condition
New constitution Elsewhere, the Attorney General, the Constitutional Implementation Commission and the government printer have conspired to defeat the implementation of the new constitution according to Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo. Mutula said he is a frustrated man and even cited one bill that was cleared by the cabinet three week ago yet not published. He said he spent the better part of the day calling Treasury trying to locate the status of the bill on revenue allocation and the only assurance he got was that the bill would be published. He said he has always ensured that bills once cleared by the cabinet are forwarded to CIC and to the AG within 30 minutes and that no bill was pending in his office. Mutula joined the fray of MPs who bashed the executive over trying to create a crisis in the national by delaying various bills intended to implement the new constitution. They claimed anti reform forces who fought against the enactment of the new law have ganged up using all manner of tricks to slow down the constitution implementation process. Prioritizing bills The debate was ignited after parliament sought to know why government was prioritizing bills which have no deadlines yet the house has only 10 days to bass 19 bills before the 27th August deadlines. They wondered why there was no constitutional implementation bills scheduled for Tuesday next week. They said they are not willing and not ready to seat extra hours to be used to ride on the bills yet the government has had all the time and yet waiting for the last minutes to rush parliament. They questioned the whereabouts of three police reform bill which were given a nod by the cabinet and not published. They said the house has been receiving bashing from the public and asked the government to carry daily adverts to inform Kenyans on the status of the bills and why some have not been published. They also read a scheme by the government to shorten the publication period of bill to deny Kenyans a chance to scrutinize them and hence eliminate their participations. Deadline Kajiado Central Member of Parliament Joseph Nkaissery had early attempted to have parliament suspend questions and tackle bills to beat the 27th August deadline. Nkaisserry said Key bills have been forward to parliament and the house needs to use the available time prudently to meet the constitution deadline. But Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim said the House was governed by the standing orders which requires that business transacted must be as par the sequence provided for in the order paper. Maalim said if need be parliament can use the instruments at its disposal to extend seating hours to accommodate any business.
Cameron vows crackdown on rioters
Prime Minister David Cameron vowed on Thursday to hunt down the street gang members and opportunistic looters he blamed for Britain's worst violence in decades, and acknowledged that police tactics had failed at the start of the rioting. "The fightback has well and truly begun," the Conservative leader, grappling with a defining crisis of his 15-month-old premiership, told an emergency session of parliament. "As to the lawless minority, the criminals who've taken what they can get, I say this: We will track you down, we will find you, we will charge you, we will punish you. You will pay for what you have done," Cameron said. Police have arrested more than 1,200 people across England, filling cells and forcing courts to work through the night to process hundreds of cases. Among those charged were a teaching assistant, a charity worker and an 11-year-old boy. Community leaders say inequality, cuts to public services by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government and youth unemployment fed into the violence in London, Birmingham, Manchester and other multi-ethnic cities. Cameron is under pressure from different quarters to ease his austerity plans, toughen policing and do more for inner-city communities, even as economic malaise grips a nation whose social and racial tensions exploded in four nights of mayhem.
WORDS SPEAKS FOR THEMSELVES
Riots: Benefits e-petition hits crucial 100,000 mark
An e-petition calling for rioters to lose their benefits has hit 100,000 signatures and become the first to be considered for a Commons debate. It has dwarfed others on the government website, which has struggled to deal with the volume of people accessing it. The petition has now been formally referred to a committee which will decide whether to hold a debate. It comes as English councils say they will seek to evict social tenants found guilty of taking part in disorder. The e-petitions website has been closed to address its technical problems and is due to re-open on Friday. But the Cabinet Office, which runs it, has confirmed the e-petition submitted by Stephen Mains, saying "convicted London rioters should loose [sic] all benefits" has reached 100,000 signatures. The threshold for the petition to be referred to the Commons backbench business committee, which can table debates, is 100,000. Mr Mains's petition has attracted vast numbers of signatures in just a few days. Its nearest rival, a bid launched by Conservative MP Robert Halfon to cut the price of petrol, was well behind it with 24,000 signatures on Wednesday.
European share markets reverse earlier gains
Leading European share indexes have lost earlier gains of about 2% amid continuing fears over eurozone debt and the health of Europe's banks. In early afternoon trade, London's FTSE index and Germany's Dax index were both little moved on the day, while France's Cac 40 was down slightly. French banking shares had been among the biggest gainers, with Societe Generale shares up 8% in morning trade. But in volatile trading, the bank's shares were down 5% by lunchtime. Fears about the financial stability of France and its banks had been a key trigger for Wednesday's steep falls. Rumours had swept the market that France was about to lose its AAA credit rating and that Societe Generale was in line for a government bailout. Denials came from both the French Treasury and Societe Generale, whose chief executive, Frederic Oudea, said the rumours were "absolutely rubbish" in an interview with CNBC television after the market closed. Mr Oudea also spoke to France Info radio. "People are scared," he said, "so the tiniest information touches off irrational fears. To our clients, we have to tell them that these rumours are baseless and that they can have confidence in Societe Generale."
ICC to allow 2 witnesses for each PEV suspect
The ICC spokesman said 327 victims will participate in the confirmation hearings of Ruto, Sang, and Kosgey The International Criminal Court (ICC) has limited the number of defense team witnesses to two for three Post Election Violence suspects ahead of their confirmation hearings scheduled for September 1. ICC spokesman Fadi El Abdallah says the decision by pre-trial II chamber judges was reached as the 48 witnesses William Ruto, Joshua Sang and Henry Kosgey had applied to take to the confirmation hearings were far too many since the process was only meant to confirm whether they have a case to answer and not to establish their innocence. Fadi says the decision for the other three suspects whose confirmation hearings are set for September 21 to October 11 had not been reached adding that the suspects can choose to attend the hearings or leave it to their legal counsels. Saying that the prosecution will not call any witnesses but rather rely on documentation, the ICC spokesman said 327 victims will participate in the confirmation hearings of Ruto, Sang, and Kosgey. Pre-Trial Chamber II believe that Ruto and Kosgey are criminally responsible as indirect co-perpetrators for crimes against humanity of murder, forcible transfer of population and persecution. Decision on whether trials will commence will be reached two months after the confirmation hearings. The chaos led to deaths of more than 1300 people prompting the international community to intervene.
Rumour in Kenya that Kenyans are intending to go home because of riots
Some media houses in Kenya are spreading rumours that Kenyans in UK are staying in fear of rioting and some are intending to go home. This is totally unfounded reports and people should get facts on the ground before writing such information. London is quiet for the last two nights after the UK Prime Minister instructed the police to use bullets and water cannons. Other towns are also quiet and business back to normal. The rioters are young people of between 10 and 24 years. It is the failure of the UK government to address the issue of the young people who cannot listen to parents, teachers nor the police. All Kenyans in UK are safe and no Kenyan youth has been involved. One elderly Kenyan lady living in London had this to say to Mr. Seed on this issue: "Mr. Seed, thirikari îno nî mûrume yerereire na rîu mûrume nîanjîa kûgimara. Reke mone ûrîa mûrume ekaga. Nîûronire kaana gakîgûtha mûthigari na ndangîaria "
UK Riots: 11-year-old Romford boy is Britain's youngest looter
London riots: 888 people arrested over disorder
A total of 888 people have been arrested over violence, disorder and looting in London, and 371 have been charged, police have said. The figures include two boys of 17 and a man of 18 arrested over an arson attack which destroyed a Sony warehouse in Enfield, north London, on Monday. Two other boys aged 17 were arrested over looting in Sloane Square and Pimlico, also on Monday night. Up to 16,000 officers were on duty across the capital on Wednesday night. It was a relatively calm night, with the exception of an incident in Eltham, south-east London, where officers were pelted with missiles by a group of people. Officers rounded up about 150 men. The Met said the group had been dispersed by 22:00 BST. Some local residents were out on the streets claiming to be defending the area from rioters. The number of police officers across the capital was increased from 6,000 to 16,000 on Tuesday after the violence escalated on Monday. The increased number of officers will be out in London for a third night before the deployment is reviewed, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stephen Kavanagh said. He said: "It's a huge drain on both the physical, emotional and practical resources of London's police service.
"The Caribbean people who arrived in the UK had a lot of difficulties looking for a house, they were met by signs on the door : "No Irish, no blacks and no dogs."
ODM’s Aladwa elected Nairobi Mayor
George Aladwa of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has been elected the Mayor of Nairobi on Thursday 11th August, 2011. Mr Aladwa, who has been acting mayor, got 57 votes to beat James Gakuya of the Party of National Unity (PNU) who got 39 votes. The peaceful polls were conducted by secret ballot. ODM has 53 councillors while PNU has 45. Earlier, officials sealed off City Hall Way and police in riot gear were stationed near the Kenyatta International Conference Centre given past experiences with such polls but no incidents were reported by the time the polls closed. This marks the last time that the City Mayor will be elected by councillors as city residents will from next year directly pick their Mayor in line with the new Constitution.
Central Kenya ravaged by drought too The drought that has ravaged parts of the country leaving an estimated 3.5 million Kenyans hungry and desperate for food is a sad state of affairs. Although a lot of emphasis has been placed on the Northern frontier, other parts like Central Kenya have not been spared either from the harsh conditions. Mitithini village in Makuyu, Murang’a County is one such area that is suffering the devastating effects of the current drought. “The area has been dry for the last four years we have never gotten any harvest,” explains James Wambua, the area Assistant Chief. The villagers here live in abject poverty, the deplorable housing a testimony of the desperate situation the families are in. The water points have dried up and crops have failed. “It’s very dry here. We look for manual jobs where we are paid Sh100 per day. When we don’t get money we sleep hungry and sometimes we just have enough food for the children,” says Zakayo Mutuku a 56 year old father of 10. Mr Mutuku is frail, sickly and desperate for help. Not once or twice has he and his family slept hungry, he says, but countless times. What makes it worse is that he and his wife are living with HIV. Three of their children have also died of the disease. And now without the right nutrition, the two could just well be sitting on their death bed. “This is our fourth month since we received some relief,” remembers the area Assistant Chief.
UK: Kenyans urged refrain from unnecessary travel
The saga surrounding violent civil unrest taking place in London spilled over to Kenya's parliament with legislators demanding an explanation from the Foreign Affairs Ministry on what measures are in place to protect Kenyans living and residing in Britain. Chepalungu MP Issac Ruto seeking a ministerial statement demanded to know if the Kenyan government has since slapped a travel ban of its citizens to the troubled country as well as the exact nature of protection it is offering its citizens, given what he termed as "unruly" behavior by the police in London. However this statement saw House Speaker Kenneth Marende interject cautioning the Chepalungu Legislator against insinuating the conduct of the police was unruly forcing him to withdraw the statement and apologize. Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Richard onyonka promising to give a statement on Tuesday next week said the government is closely monitoring the unfolding situation in London, adding that so far there have be no reports of Kenyans injured or in trouble as a result of the unrest. Unnecessary travel Meanwhile, in his appeal to Kenyan Nationals in the United Kingdom Wednesday, Dr Joe Sang the Acting High Commissioner to London, called on Kenyans to stay calm and refrain from unnecessary travel following the riots witnessed across London for the last 4 days. ''We advise Kenya Nationals against all but essential travel to the areas most affected by the Riots. This includes those areas of Tottenham, Hackney, Clapham, Peckham, Enfield, Croydon, Camden Town, and affected parts of Birmingham and Liverpool which have suffered extensive damage. Kenyan nationals should observe instructions and advice by local security authorities and avoid public gatherings and disturbances." Restore order Elesewhere, Britain Prime minister David Cameron says every action would be taken to restore order, with contingency plans for water cannon to be available at 24 hours' notice. On Tuesday night, unrest spread to cities including Manchester, Salford, Liverpool, Nottingham and Birmingham, with shops being looted and set alight. Mr Cameron, speaking after a meeting of the government's Cobra emergency committee, said police had the legal backing to use any tactics necessary to bring the situation under control, including using baton rounds. He said: "This continued violence is simply not acceptable, and it will be stopped. We will not put up with this in our country. We will not allow a culture of fear to exist on our streets." But president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, Sir Hugh Orde, ruled out deploying water cannon for now, saying the tactic was not suited to the current unrest. "Water cannon are used to deal with fixed crowds to buy distance," he said. "The evidence from your camera people is showing very clearly these are fast-moving crowds, where water cannon would not be appropriate." Arrests Earlier, Mr Cameron said: "We have seen the worst of Britain, but I also believe we have seen some of the best of Britain - the million people who have signed up on Facebook to support the police, coming together in the clean-up operations." He said more arrests would take place as police worked through CCTV evidence. "Picture by picture, the criminals are being identified and arrested," he said. "There are pockets of our society that are not just broken, but are frankly sick. "It is a complete lack of responsibility in parts of our society, people allowed to feel the world owes them something, that their rights outweigh their responsibilities and their actions do not have consequences. Well, they do have consequences." In London, people have been appearing before magistrates after some courts stayed open throughout the night to deal with some of the scores of people facing charges. The prime minister said anyone convicted of violent disorder would be sent to prison. The riots first flared on Saturday after a peaceful protest in Tottenham over the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan, 29, by police.
Welcome to Thika Greens Tour
Thika Greens Limited was incorporated on 29th December 2008 by a group of five entrepreneurs who had previously worked together in the development of townhouses in Nairobi. The company’s five founders came across an opportunity to acquire a farm in Thika. These promoters on reviewing the land’s characteristics and evaluating various development options settled on a residential development concept but of a much higher sophistication than any previously attempted in Kenya. The decision was made to undertake an integrated development program that would see the establishment of a satellite community with all amenities close by. This view was informed by the clear desire of home buyers in the greater Nairobi area to secure a home in a well managed clean and convenient neighbourhood. In evaluating the financial requirements for the project the developers quickly came to the conclusion that the project would be best accomplished through a company in which interested investors could join into the project. Thus forty five new shareholders subscribed to the vision and acquired shares in Thika Greens Ltd. The shareholder profile includes business women and men, executives and other members of society. - VIDEO
UK Prime Minister allows police to use water cannon The Prime Minister has pledged to give the police whatever they need to combat rioting and said contingency plans are in place for water cannon to be available at 24 hours' notice. David Cameron is speaking after chairing the Government's emergency Cobra meeting. He added: "It is clear there are things that are badly wrong in our society." Earlier Boris Johnson directly criticised Government policy by calling for plans to reduce police numbers to be reconsidered in the wake of the disturbances in UK towns and cities. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the Conservative Mayor of London said: "This is not a time to think about making substantial cuts in police numbers." He added that it would be a "good thing" if Ministers "had another look" at the issue. A Government source has told Sky News Mr Johnson is "posturing" but his remarks will put the Prime Minister under further pressure. The Mayor's comments come after an unprecedented wave of disorder swept beyond London to regional areas. Around 1,000 people have now been arrested across the country after riots started in Tottenham on August 6. Consecutive nights of unrest in London were calmed on the night that 16,000 police were drafted on to the city's streets. On Tuesday, Mr Johnson received a hostile reception from Clapham residents as he toured the riot-hit area in the south of the capital. The Prime Minister cut short his summer holiday and returned to Britain on Tuesday to chair the first Cobra meeting on the crisis. Parliament will be recalled for a day on Thursday to discuss the disturbances. Mr Cameron said the scenes of violence were "sickening" and pledged to "do everything necessary to restore order to Britain's streets and make them safe for the law abiding". He has pledged to speed up court procedures to deal with the "many more" arrests expected as police scour hundreds of hours of CCTV for evidence about those responsible for the violence. He warned the young people involved in the riots: "You will feel the full force of the law. And if you are old enough to commit these crimes, you are old enough to face the punishment." A poll by YouGov has found that 57% feel David Cameron is dealing with the situation badly, while 85% believe either a majority or most of those taking part in the riots will go unpunished. Ed Miliband said victims of rioting "cannot be left to cope alone", calling on the Government to work with the insurance industry to help those businesses and individuals affected by the trouble. "As we see in natural disasters like floods, we need focused support so that these victims of the violence get the support they need," the Labour leader said. "That means the Government working with the insurance industry to put in place fast track procedures with immediate effect so that individuals and businesses making claims do not have to wait for the money they need to start putting things right." Scotland Yard ruled out involving the Army for now but said police were "not scared" of using plastic bullets to bring the unprecedented riots under control. The violence first erupted in Tottenham, north London, on Saturday night after a peaceful protest after Mark Duggan, 29, was fatally shot by police. The Independent Police Complaints Commission confirmed that there was no evidence that Mr Duggan fired at officers before he was shot in the chest. Mr Duggan's family said they were "deeply distressed" by the disorder across the country which has followed his death. Mr Clegg had earlier said the trouble on Sunday night had nothing to do with the death of Mr Duggan, who was killed on August 4. Nairobi in Sh400bn transport plan
Pastor Amos Ngugi from Ireland offers his services in Kenya
Pastor Amos Ngugi of North East ethnic policing forum Dublin, Republic of Ireland and founder of Acts of Compassion Project which offer support Counselling Advocacy and prevention programmes about harms of drugs, was invited to coast province police headquarters by the [PPO] James Adoli to launch the Dail to stop drugs dealing and threats information posters which the community can help the police by calling the number which is in that poster without mentioning their names but just to gave the information about Drugs dealing. Pastor Amos thought it was good idea to help our people back home with experience he has to fight [Addiction] and Drugs dealings which have affects many families. He was also invited in Nairobi police Headquarters by Director of community policing, B. Nduta who is in charge of the entire Kenya, policing forum. The meeting went on very well and it was great exchanging the ideas how the policing forum project is run in Ireland and how it runs in Kenya. Pastor Amos Ngugi's contact is Tel: 00353876929777 or
actsofcompassionproject@yahoo.com Kimemia faults land wrangles for killings
The government has constituted a task force to look into rising insecurity within Athi River just months after four bodies were found dumped in the area. But even before the team hits the ground, it has emerged that most deaths in the area result from land wrangles. As the Nairobi metropolis expands, people are now looking beyond the city's perimeters and Athi-River has been among the major areas that has attracted investors. But even as investors rush for a share of the cake, the area has made headlines for all the wrong reasons, a concern that the government has taken note.Internal Permanent Secretary Francis Kimemia says the mystery all begins and ends with land.And so a task force consisting of permanent secretaries drawn from line ministries and senior police officers has been formed to look into the matter and file a report in the next 45 days detailing the necessary action to be taken. But as this security meeting was going on, police shot 2 men and a woman at Kwamwambi area near jumvi junction in Athi-River. The officers had been trailing the suspected thugs and on flagging them down; they defied orders and opened fire prompting police to retaliate. Three guns and 19 rounds of ammunition were recovered in their getaway the vehicle. Meanwhile, the government has beefed up security in Todonyang in Turkana county in the wake of attacks by Merile militias that left at least 13 Kenyans dead.
Shocking decline of the Kenya Shillings as the exchange rate in London hits record high of KShs. 149 and KShs. 160 in Nairobi - VIDEO
MPs from North Eastern and Turkana area goes to court to stop the repeat of census in their areas as the rumours in Kenya indicates that now Somalis are the second largest tribe in Kenya from Kikiyu
THIKA ROAD AS YOU APPROACH JUJA TOWN
The photo of Thika Road Construction as you approach Juja Town from Nairobi. The photo was taken by Edward Mwangi from Milton Keynes with his Black Berry and send to Mr. Seed directly. - VIDEO
OVERHEAD BY MR. SEED: "We the youth people have no life. No jobs, no activities, the government has put up the education fees which we cannot afford, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Life is now mean less to us. We don't have a future." - A young man talking to a TV crew in Manchester City
Court nullifies Njoroge’s appointment as CCK boss
Nairobi, Wednesday 10th August, 2011. The High Court has nullified the appointment of Charles Njoroge as the Director General of the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) until a case filed by a consumer lobby is heard and determined. High Court Judge David Maraga has in the meantime directed the CCK Board and the Minister for Information and Communication Samuel Poghisio to appoint a DG in an acting capacity until the row is resolved. The Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) through its lawyer Henry Kurauka had wanted Engineer Njoroge’s appointment quashed claiming that the Information Minister ignored the CCK Board’s stand and renewed his contract for three years effective from July 7, through a gazette notice published on July 29.
Federal Reserve expects not to raise rates until 2013
The US Federal Reserve has said it expects to keep interest rates at their current low levels until at least the middle of 2013. The US central bank admitted in its announcement that America's economic growth this year had been "considerably slower" than it had expected. It did not say whether it was considering more quantitative easing. This is the policy of injecting new money into the financial system to try to boost the economy. Some analysts had hoped for the Fed to announce a third stage of quantitative easing. The main US share index, the Dow Jones, fell 0.5% immediately following the announcement, which was released after the latest meeting of the Fed's open policy committee in Washington DC. However, it then went on to recover to close up 4%.
Keep away from Britain! Governments around world warn citizens to avoid riot-hit UK
Warning: The editor of India's Lonely Planet magazine Vardhan Kondvikar told his Twitter followers to avoid coming to the UK at all Many looked ahead to next summer, with the respected Süddeutsche Zeitung warning that ‘fears are concentrated on the Olympics’. Countries including Canada and Australia were left stunned that the kind of unrest seen in Greece and France had befallen Britain. In the U.S., cars burning across the English capital featured prominently even as Washington and Wall Street struggled amid the debt crisis. The New York Times called the riots ‘the worst outbreak of social unrest in Britain in 25 years’. Online, the Huffington Post news website ran the headline ‘London’s Burning’ while one contributor to the venerable Wall Street Journal wrote: ‘These people are welcome to march and protest, but when they start robbing and destroying others’ property then I’m all for declaring them targets for target practice.’ An editorial in Le Monde, one of France’s leading newspapers, said the UK was asking itself: ‘How to put an end to the destruction, which has in three days devastated whole neighbourhoods in London and its suburbs, as well as the cities of Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool?’
Embarrassing: The Portuguese Jornal de Noticias (left) and the Belgian De Standaard (right) both put photographs of the London riots on their front pages The riots also led every TV bulletin in Spain, with laSexta describing ‘a lawless city’. The Coalition Government’s response came in for criticism as well, following the belated decisions of senior politicians – including Prime Minister David Cameron – to return from their holidays. Yesterday, it was announced that Parliament would be recalled tomorrow from its summer recess. The Spanish newspaper El País said: ‘Far from reacting quickly, the Government was missing during the crucial hours and has responded with a vagueness which has failed to calm the violence. Cameron’s credibility has suffered a new reverse in these days of fury.’ El Mundo blamed the riots on an unintegrated immigrant population living in poverty. It said: ‘That is why the British authorities – in fact, you could say all of Europe – should bend over backwards to stop these violent outbreaks which, if they get worse, would have unforeseeable consequences.’ Demonstrating the extent of the devastation, newspapers in Syria compared the situation to trouble within its own borders. China's exports hit a record high in July as shipments to Europe and the United States proved surprisingly buoyant, allaying concerns that debt problems abroad may hold back the world's No. 2 economy.
GOD CAN ALSO DO IT FOR YOU - FROM SLUM TO PALACE
An aerial photo of Pastor Kiuna House in Runda, Nairobi. Nice finishing of the toilet where you wound find magazines in you would like to read something while the business of the day continues. The house is worth more than KShs. 95 million.
European stocks up after US Fed puts rates on hold European and Asian stocks followed Wall Street higher after the US said it would hold interest rates until 2013. Leading markets are seeing a second day of gains, with London's 100 share index up 1.4% and Frankfurt's leading Dax index more than 2% higher. The interest rate announcement helped stem one of the biggest sell-offs in recent years. But despite the rises, markets are a long way from recovering the dramatic falls of recent weeks. Wall Street's Dow Jones index closed up 4% after Monday's announcement from the Federal Reserve the US's best day in two years. Asian markets then steadied, Japan's Nikkei 225 index rose 1.1%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 2.1%. Analysts say markets will remain choppy amid global growth fears. They said that many investors were still concerned about global growth and the fact that the Fed did not announce any new measures to boost expansion, such as an economic stimulus package. "A lot of traders will be disappointed that the Fed did not go any further," Robin Bew of the Economist Intelligence Group told the BBC's Asia Business Report. PS warns against buying land in Athi River
Brace for hard times as shilling sinks to new lows, experts warn
Kenyans should brace themselves for hard times as the local currency continues to weaken further against the US dollar. This will see a number of goods increase in prices as importers recoup the losses made in business mostly denominated in US dollars. By the close of trading session on Tuesday, the local currency closed the day at new low of Sh95.05 against the dollar. Dealers in the market quoted the shilling at an average of Sh95, for the first time in about 17 years. Already, market projections are pointing at an exchange rate of Sh100 by the end of the week. This will only cement the shillings position among the worst performers across the globe. “The cost of everything will continue going higher and in these situations, I am afraid, pay cheques will never keep up,” Mr Aly Khan Satchu, a market analyst told the Nation. Kenya is a net importer of goods and as so feels the pinch of a weakening shilling. It is estimated that about 40 per cent of Kenya’s imports are priced in dollars. - Daily Nation
WORD OF TODAY
Psalms 60: 1-12Real help will come from God alone When situation seems out of control, we can trust God to do mighty things. This psalms gives us information about David's reign found in 2 Samuel 8 that passage makes no reference to the fact that David's forces had met stiff resistance (60:1-3) and apparently even a temporary defeat. (60:9-10). Have you felt defeated? The enemy will make you feel like you want to give up, but give heart and remember the promises of God in your life. The closer we get to God the more our enemies will attack us because we threaten their evil and selfish way of living (60:3) instead of the wine of blessing God had given them the cup of his judgment. David was surrounded by enemies, he remembered that God had promised triumph over these Nations. He knew that Israel's future was closely tied to God's reputation of keeping His promise, so remember Gods promise for your life and your offspring and you will never be put down by the enemy ( HOSEA 4:6). My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because you have rejected knowledge. I also will reject you from being priest for me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. I take this opportunity to invite you in our pray Conference Prayer every Morning from 6-7a.m. call this local number in UK Tel 02030042084 pin No.67299# and you will be able to join us for prayers. It is a free number with landline in UK.
Our Guest Singer Today John Ndungu from Kenya - CLICK HERE
Analysis - Gold set to widen premium over platinum
Gold is set to widen its premium over platinum after hitting parity for the first time in 2-1/2 years this week, with no end yet in sight to the potent cocktail of fear factors that are benefiting safe havens at the expense of cyclical assets. Gold prices rose above those of platinum for the first time since December 2008 late on Monday. The last time this happened, the situation reversed within a few days, and traders said then that the convergence of the gold-platinum ratio gave a clear signal to sell gold and buy platinum. "Gold as a defensive asset is being driven higher at the moment by risk aversion, and platinum as a cyclical asset is under pressure because growth is slowing," said Michael Widmer, an analyst at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch. "We were there around the great recession (2008), and then you had the various stimulus packages hitting the market, and you saw the prices of the two metals starting to diverge again," he said. "The macro picture is a bit different this time around. I don't think that it is a compelling trade." In contrast to the situation in 2008, gold's premium to platinum is a function of its own strength, rather than a falling platinum price. Gold hit a record $1,778.29 an ounce this week as concerns over economic stability and debt crises in the euro zone and United States sparked heavy buying among investors. Platinum prices have eased by just over 2 percent this year, although they have not dropped in the same way as some industrial metals such as copper, which is down 8.2 percent in electronic trading, or zinc down 13.2 percent. Although platinum is nominally a precious metal, the bulk of its demand comes from the industrial sector, particularly carmakers who use it to make catalytic converters. This makes it more sensitive to threats to growth. This may mean it still has some way to fall, potentially further widening its discount to gold, analysts said. In 2008, platinum plummeted from record highs to fall below the price of gold, said Deutsche Bank analyst Michael Lewis. "Now ... this parity has occurred and we haven't priced in that recession risk yet," he said. "There is more risk that if we get negative data, it could sustain that discount of platinum for a longer period of time."
100 year old woman driver
Trouble Hotspots: The Worst Affected Areas
There are reports of trouble in both Manchester and the West Midlands this evening as violence across Britain continues. As 16,000 police swarm London streets in preparation for a fourth night of chaos, seven people were arrested in Manchester and a further 20 in the West Midlands. Manchester: :: Seven arrested in the city centre where police say up to 70 youths had gathered. :: Metrolink tram services have been suspended and police have advised people to stay away from the city centre. :: A branch of Miss Selfridge in central Manchester has been set on fire. Salford: :: Sky's Mike McCarthy reports seeing smoke rising from Salford precinct and masked youths throwing stones. West Bromwich: :: Sky News has received footage of a burning car and a number of roads have been closed by West Midlands Police. :: There are reports of other vehicles being set alight in the area. Wolverhampton: :: West Midlands police say 20 people have been arrested following disturbances. :: There are reports of sporadic disorder in Wolverhampton but police say it is under control. Birmingham: :: Police say they have made three arrests and are "managing a large group of people causing disorder in several areas within the city centre." :: These were the worst affected areas on Monday night. Hackney: :: Officers with dogs charged at rioters throwing bottles in Clarence Road, where a car had been set alight. :: Sky helicopter footage showed an officer knocked to the ground by a missile. :: Many shop-fronts were damaged including branches of Ladbrokes, Boots and JD Sports. Ealing: :: Petrol bombs were thrown at police officers as youths gathered in Lewisham town centre. :: Shops have been damaged and looted. :: All buses that were going to the area were cancelled. Peckham: :: Fireworks were thrown at police as they tried to disperse the crowd. :: A bus was on fire outside the fire station. :: A witness told how they saw a thug hurl a brick at an officer, hitting him in the back. Croydon: :: A 26-year-old man was shot in Warrington Road, Croydon junction with Dupass Hill. The man was inside a car when police found him. He was taken to a south London hospital where he remains in a serious condition. Two other people, believed to be in their late twenties, were also at the scene. They were arrested for handling stolen goods and taken to a south London police station. Detectives from Operation Trident are investigating. Clapham: Enfield: Birmingham Liverpool Bristol
A Kenyan living in Texas, US dies in an accident while in holiday in Kenya
KENYA HIGH COMMISSIN LONDON
RIOTS IN UK
We advise Kenya Nationals against all but essential travel to the areas most affected by the Riots. This includes those areas of Tottenham, Hackney, Clapham, Peckham, Enfield, Croydon, Camden Town, and affected parts of Birmingham and Liverpool which have suffered extensive damage. Kenyan nationals should observe instructions and advice by local security authorities and avoid public gatherings and disturbances.
For Kenyans living in the affected areas, we advise that they keep safe indoors and keep an eye on their community members and call for help if required. We urge that they keep themselves well informed and closely monitor developments in their neighborhoods. Kenyan Nationals should stay away from demonstrations and large gatherings of people, exercise caution, and observe instructions given by local security authorities
Contact Details: Kenya High Commission, London Email: kcomm45@aol.com - Tel: 020 76362371
Tripple Em Food, Roman Way, Luton A member of Necessary Noize and East African Bashment Crew. Wyre is arguably the best solo R&B and Reggae artist Kenya has ever produced to age. His soothing mellow sound has gained him international recognition and has collaborated with Jamaican artist Cecile in the chart breaking song ‘She Say Dat. He's managed to bridge the old and new generation gap with songs like ‘Mwanake’ with JB Maina and Sina Makosa.
www.facebook.com/trippleem.foods
UK asylum backlog amounts to 'amnesty' The number of asylum seekers that have been allowed to remain in Britain has been so great that officials going through a backlog of cases have said it amounted to an "amnesty". The cross-party Home Affairs Select Committee said in a report that the UK Border Agency was on course to hit its target of dealing with a backlog of about 450,000 asylum cases by the summer, but only by increasingly granting applicants permission to stay. Of the 403,500 cases concluded so far, 40 per cent had been allowed to remain in Britain while so far only 38,000 applicants had had their claims rejected and been removed from Britain. In up to 74,500 cases the applicants could not be found, meaning it was unknown whether they were still in the country, had left voluntarily or were dead, a figure the committee said was "indefensible". The report said: "We consider that in practice an amnesty has taken place, at considerable cost to the taxpayer". The committee concluded that a very large number of people remained in Britain who had no right to be there or who would have been removed if their cases had been dealt with with more urgency.
What do you think is the problem with his youngsters Mr. Bus Driver? "This is a time bomb. I wish you have seen how this youngster behave in the bus. They are idle, jobless and frustrated young generation who has no respect for the law. They spend the whole days sleeping and when they wake up they start watching the violent films of people fighting. They don't go to churches and that means they have no morals. What you expect from them? They have to practice what they see in the film." - Gabriel, a Kenyan bus driver in London.
WHO IS ACTUALLY CAUSING TROUBLE IN LONDON?
The trouble makers are the youth of between 12 and 25 years of age. Most of them have a lifestyle of their own. They have never worked all their life. They eat, dress and do whatever they want. They are the masters of their own. This is because they cannot be controlled by the parents, teachers or police. They think they know it all. They don't care about the law because even if they are caught by police and taken to court the court will only caution them. Most of them sleep the whole day and wake up in the late afternoon at about 4.00 ready to start their day. Most of them are jobless.. They spend of their time on mobiles communicating with their friends and to say the truth, they are frustrated by the life. With the increase of the costs of the university fees they don't want to join high education because it means adding another burden to themselves. You would always find body building equipments in their rooms. Nobody listens to them and the seem not to care about life. The group likes to life a designer dressing way of life. Without money they find that this is an opportunity to break into designer shop and get something for themselves. They are also targeting big supermarket for beer and cigarettes. Who are the youngster, black of white?
I am an eye witness of Monday 8th August, 2011. It was about 7.00 p.m. and I was heading to a cash point on Tesco, Barking next to A406. When parking, I noticed that Tesco was closed and I wondered why because it operates 24 hours. Next to the store is a petrol station and it was also closed. After parking and heading to the cash point I heard a loud bang and next to me were tens of youth coming from behind Tesco with weapons trying to break the store - some using the supermarket trolleys. The group numbered between 30 and 40 youths - about half of the group are black boys and girls, a quarter a white and the remaining quarter were Asians. They were all working with a command from one of them. All wearing hoodies the hide the identity. We had to run for our life.
UK asylum backlog amounts to 'amnesty' The number of asylum seekers that have been allowed to remain in Britain has been so great that officials going through a backlog of cases have said it amounted to an "amnesty". The cross-party Home Affairs Select Committee said in a report that the UK Border Agency was on course to hit its target of dealing with a backlog of about 450,000 asylum cases by the summer, but only by increasingly granting applicants permission to stay. Of the 403,500 cases concluded so far, 40 per cent had been allowed to remain in Britain while so far only 38,000 applicants had had their claims rejected and been removed from Britain. In up to 74,500 cases the applicants could not be found, meaning it was unknown whether they were still in the country, had left voluntarily or were dead, a figure the committee said was "indefensible". The report said: "We consider that in practice an amnesty has taken place, at considerable cost to the taxpayer". The committee concluded that a very large number of people remained in Britain who had no right to be there or who would have been removed if their cases had been dealt with with more urgency.
LONDON IS BURNING FOR A THIRD NIGHT Policemen has no much to do as their hands are tired by the law
It is like film acting as young rioters between the age of 12 and 25 through missiles to police and police do nothing - something the Kenyan police would take one hour to deal with it * Police are asking parents to call their children back home little do they know that most of these boys and girls comes from broken homes * 17,000 extra police has been deployed in the city * Rumour goes that the army might be called in * Many residents cry out "bring children power back to parents and police" * Residents blaming the government because of letting the youth to behave the way the want and one to touch them Sporadic violence has broken out in several parts of London as shops are looted and police are attacked in a third day of civil disorder - and there has also been unrest in Birmingham. Some of the latest disturbances in the capital were centred around Hackney in east London, and Lewisham, Peckham and Croydon in the south. Police in Croydon were investigating a "non-fatal" shooting. Rioting also erupted in Ealing, west London, with gangs of youths starting fires in the street and vandalising local shops, according to eyewitnesses. The trouble flared near Ealing Broadway tube station with groups of around 30 masked rioters congregating on Haven Green. Clapham Junction also fell victim to rioting, with rows of shops on Lavender Hill attacked. Sky reporter Mark Stone filmed stores being damaged and said he could not see any police officers.
He said people were smashing the windows of a Ladbrokes, a Wimpey and a hairdressers. He said: "I cannot see one policeman at all. They are dealing with problems elsewhere. "This is quite extraordinary. Every shop they can find they are looting." Prime Minister David Cameron is to return to London overnight in the wake of the unrest and will chair a meeting of the Government's emergency committee Cobra on Tuesday. And Britain's most senior police officer has called on parents to contact their children as he urged the public to clear London's streets. Acting Scotland Yard Commissioner Tim Godwin criticised another wave of "gratuitous" violence as he appealed directly to families to help officers bring the situation under control. He said: "I do urge now that parents start contacting their children and asking where their children are. "There are far too many spectators who are getting in the way of the police operation to tackle criminal thuggery and burglary." In Hackney, shops were attacked, and there were skirmishes as youths threw objects including chairs and pieces of wood at officers in riot gear. Cars and bins were set alight, and contents from the bins were used as missiles by the offenders.
Before and after At one point, several people broke into the back of a stationary lorry. They pulled its contents out onto the road, and some hurled it at police, while others used it to smash windows of a parked bus. Pictures from Sky's helicopter showed a police line, running at youths trying to disperse them from the main shopping area. The trouble was reportedly prompted by a stop and search incident earlier in the day. Sky's Jane Dougall in Hackney said: "The tensions here are still simmering. It's pretty tense. "There has been a stand-off with police and the rioters since about 5pm and it seems to be escalating. It's certainly not over." Police have also come under attack from youths in Lewisham town centre, with petrol bombs being thrown at officers. Shops have been damaged and looted. Sky's Mark White in Lewisham said: "There are groups who are involved in sporadic violence around this area and other areas of London. "Then at a moment's notice they up-sticks and head somewhere completely different. "It's a very difficult job for the police to try to respond to that and get resources in place to stop premises being looted."
There were also reports that no buses were going to Lewisham or Peckham due to the civil unrest, and a bus was set on fire in Peckham. And several buildings were on fire in Croydon, including a family business that had been in the town for 100 years which was completely destroyed. The Reeves furniture shop was engulfed with flames, with nearby homes evacuated. In Birmingham, several premises were attacked, shop windows smashed and property stolen in various locations. West Midlands Police said officers had made nine arrests. Police patrols are being stepped up across the capital to try to prevent further unrest after rioting and looting in several parts of London over the weekend. Many officers have voluntarily abandoned scheduled leave to help deal with the situation, said the Metropolitan Police. Sky's Martin Brunt said 300 officers from outside the Met are being brought in to assist the force as its tries to tackle the unrest. Brunt also said the Met has admitted having to use under-trained riot police to cope with the violence. This is because annual two-day training courses have been suspended for Met riot officers to deal with the demand for resources.
They burn as the police watch but can do nothing in the name of human right law The Home Office had stressed she has been in constant touch with the Metropolitan Police about the rioting. Ms May condemned the riots that have blighted the capital for three days as "sheer criminality". She said: "Those responsible for this violence and looting will be made to face the consequences of their actions." The violence began on Saturday night in Tottenham, where officers were attacked, and two police cars and a bus were set on fire as well as buildings. The unrest was said to have been sparked by the police shooting of local man Mark Duggan on Thursday. The shooting is being investigated by the police watchdog and the rioting occurred after a peaceful protest was held in response to Mr Duggan's death. Nick Clegg has defended the Government's handling of the riots in London and described the violence as "needless and opportunist". The Deputy Prime Minister added that the trouble on Sunday night had nothing to do with the death of Mr Duggan. Police described the spreading disorder as "copycat criminal activity". The Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Met Police, Steve Kavanagh, told Sky News the behaviour will "not be tolerated". He said "the escalation in violence and criminality was considerable" and officers had been brought in from around London to help after Saturday's riots. - VIDEO
Julie Njenga, Salome Njenga (Sally) and Richard Muchai Njenga in UK have lost their father It is with humble acceptance to the Lord, we announce the promotion to Glory of our beloved Dad Mr George Njenga Gikuni (Mtanzania) of Uthiru, Nairobi on 7th August 2011 at KNH, son of the late Mr Chrisphus Gikuni and Mrs Gladys Nyambura Gikuni. He was loving husband to Mrs Grace Wambui Njenga. He was beloved dad to the late Lucy Nyambura, Simon Mbugua Njenga (Austria), John Mbugua Njenga (Kenya), Anne Njenga (USA), Julie Njenga (UK), Jane Karonji (Kenya), the late Stephen Ndungu Njenga, Salome Njenga (Sally, UK), Paul Karanja Njenga (Kenya), Richard Muchai Njenga (UK), Joseph Kamande Njenga, Alan Njoroge Njenga, Loise Nyambura and Moses Njoroge Njenga all in Kenya. Brother to Richard Muchai Gikuni, Ndungu Gikuni, Joseph Gikuni all in Kenya, Salome Gikuni (Spain), Juliana Ndonye (USA) and Edith Gikuni (Kenya). He has left behind 25 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Family and friends are meeting for prayers from 6-10 pm at Sally and Githuka address 8 Lansdowne Mews, London, Charlton, SE7 8AZ. Contact: Sally 07894997762, George Githuka 07894997763, Kari Muchai 07951227824. Information about the funeral to follow later. We give thanks to Almighty God for the precious time we had with our dad, May he rest his soul in eternal peace until we meet again.
Markets fall despite Obama speech
The main US share index, the Dow Jones, has plummeted 5.6%, despite US President Barack Obama moving to try to reassure investors. In points terms, the Dow ended down 635 to 10,810, its biggest one-day decline since October 2008, and the sixth largest on record. Howver, President Obama said markets continued to regard US government debt as being the highest possible grade. It was his first public reaction to Standard & Poor's downgrade of the US.
London riots: David Cameron cuts short holiday
Prime Minister David Cameron is returning early from his summer holiday to deal with the continuing riots in London. A Downing Street spokeswoman said Mr Cameron was flying back from Italy overnight to chair the government's Cobra emergency committee. London Mayor Boris Johnson has also cut short his family holiday and will be back Tuesday lunchtime. It comes amid a third night of violence and looting in parts of the city. On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg visited Tottenham, where riots broke out on Saturday night. Mr Clegg has cancelled a planned visit to Cornwall on Tuesday and will remain in London to attend the Cobra meeting, to be chaired by the prime minister. Mr Cameron will also meet Home Secretary Theresa May and Metropolitan Police Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin.
WELCOME TO THIKA ROAD AT GLOBE CINEMA
Travelling on the refurbished Nairobi Thika highway — sections of which are still under construction — one gets a glimpse of the future of road transport in Kenya. What comes to mind, probably, are the benefits of reduced time and lower fuel use. Not forgetting that farmers from as far away as Murang’a and the resource rich Rift Valley will easily deliver farm produce to Nairobi and other food-deficient towns at cheaper prices. This is the projection of the African Development Bank (AfDB), a key financier of the continent: to invest in infrastructure development and hence support the growth of other sectors. Mr Walter Odero, the AfDB country economist, says the current projects have been financed to the tune of Sh56 billion ($600 million), with 57 per cent of the funding targeting infrastructure facilities. “The bank will approve the financing of projects to the tune of Sh19.8 billion in the period 2011-2013,” he said. - Daily Nation
FTSE hits 13-month closing low on global debt woes
Women rapists terrorise men in Zimbabwe Police in Zimbabwe are on the trail of a group of women who have been raping men, usually at gunpoint, since last year. Cases of men who have been sexually abused by women are common in the country and hardly a week passes without such a report being made in the media. The motives of these women are not known, but there is speculation that they may be doing this for ritual purposes. We appeal to members of the public to pass any information to the police regarding three women who have gone on a spree of kidnapping and indecently assaulting young men around town, Harare police boss Angeline Guvamombe said in a statement. The women drive in posh cars and offer their unsuspecting victims lifts before spraying some liquid substance on their faces. Once the victim is drowsy, he is taken to a secluded place or house where he is forced to have sex, said Ms Guvamombe. I want to warn these criminals that their days are numbered, she added. On Monday, the Herald reported that two men were kidnapped last week and forced to have sex with women at gunpoint. In one of the incidents, a 30-year-old man was kidnapped by three women and forced to have sex with them for five days. In some cases, the women use protection and collect the mens sperm, leading to speculation that they were in the activity for ritual purposes. At times, the women are helped by armed men. Since the strange rape cases began sometime last year, no one has been arrested. Police have said the women cannot be charged with rape because Zimbabwean law does not recognise that women can rape men. But they will be charged with indecent assault, which carries a lesser sentence. Horror as man sucked into plane engine
An experienced engineer was performing a routine maintenance check on a plane’s engine when he was sucked in and killed. Miles Hunter, 51, was working on a jet turbo prop engine at Woodbourne airbase, Blenheim, a town on New Zealand’s South Island, when tragedy hit at 8am on Monday. Aviation experts described the accident as a ‘one in a million’ occurrence. His fellow colleagues reportedly watched in horror as the worker was sucked in. According to the airline, the engine had been detached from the plane without its propellers. It is also believed to have been in motion at the time of Mr Hunter’s death. Mr Hunter had been working for Safe Air Ltd which is owned by Air New Zealand. Police said emergency services performed CPR on the man but he was pronounced dead on the scene. Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe was at a loss to explain the accident. My wife is pushing me towards other women
I’m 24 years old and have been dating a 25-year-old woman for a year yet it is only recently that I discovered she has a three-year-old child. She now wants to get married to me. I’m not ready to get married and I don’t know if I’m ready to accept her child. I told her this but she still wants to be with me. She had said she would leave if I found another partner but when I told her that I had found someone, she pretended to be pregnant. What will I do because I don’t want to waste anyone’s time? Hello, There seems to be some serious confusion in your relationship. It appears that your girlfriend is manipulative, demanding and unreliable. This is clear particularly when she pretends to be pregnant so that she can keep you around. It looks like she will go to any lengths to keep you in the relationship.
- MORE Bear teeth removed from survivor's skull
One of the British youths attacked by a polar bear in the Norwegian Arctic had to have its teeth removed from his skull, his father said, as the uninjured survivors prepared to return home Monday. Patrick Flinders, 16, from Jersey in the Channel Islands, suffered a fractured skull in the attack Friday on Spitsbergen island, which killed 17-year-old Horatio Chapple. "The bear attacked his head while he was trying to fight it off and bit into him, so the operation he had in Norway was to remove some bone and some of the polar bear's teeth from his skull," his father Terry Flinders told BBC radio. "He can walk and he's starting to get back to his normal, cheeky self." Flinders punched the 250-kilogramme polar bear on the nose in an attempt to fend it off, but he was smashed across the face and head by the animal, which also ripped his ear and damaged his eye. The teenager is being treated in Southampton, but his father said he worried more about the mental scars than the physical ones. "He can't really remember what happened. It's starting to come out now a little bit but I don't want to push him," Terry Flinders said. "I think that's going to be the worst. The injuries, six months down the line, they'll all be gone.
Kenya Shilling continues to sink in London exchange as Western Union exchanges at Kshs. 147.89 by end of the day on Monday 8th August, 2011
Sad news as Joseph Chege's father is killed by a motorbike Joe Chege of Private Eye Security & Eastend Store in Upton Lane East London has lost his Dad back in Kenya . Mr. John Njoroge passed away on Sunday night following a tragic road accident. Funeral arrangements are underway at his Gatundu, Thika County home. To console this family, please phone Joe, Regina or Mary on: 0208 821 0123 / 078 4655 1413 / 075 3368 9831 / 079 5622 6629. Family & Friends are meeting at no. 12 St. Aidans Court , Blessing Way , Barking, Essex IG11 0XH from 7pm daily. Your Prayers at this time will be highly appreciated.
FROM SLUM TO PALACE
Pastor Kiuna's Residence in Runda, Nairobi is like a palace. The property is worth KShs. 95 million. God can promote someone from a slum to a palace. While narrating his life history in London in July 2011 Pastor Kiuna explained that he is a boy from the slums of Nairobi. He was sleeping in one room with his mother while in secondary school and it was Rev. Teresia Wairimu of FEM who intervened and hired a room for him. The slum boy has now been blessed because it is his turn. Its called living large. "This is what we mean by resience and not city dwelling or city hopping" explains the photographer who took this photo. More later.
London riots: Theresa May meets police as Hackney violence erupts
Home Secretary Theresa May is meeting police chiefs about rioting in London with new violence erupting in Hackney, Stratford and Ilford. Skirmishes broke out between police and groups of young people in the area around Mare Street. Mrs May returned early from holiday after violence broke out over the weekend following the police shooting of a man in Tottenham. More than 100 people were arrested and 35 officers were injured in two nights of rioting and looting. A peaceful protest in Tottenham on Saturday over the fatal shooting by police of Mark Duggan, 29, was followed by violence which spread into Sunday. A BBC journalist said the latest violence started when a man was stopped and searched by police but nothing was found. About eight riot vans have been drafted in and there are up to 200 police officers in riot gear, in the area. Groups of people began attacking the police at about 16:20 BST, throwing rocks and a bin at officers. Police cars were also being smashed by youths, who were armed with wooden poles and metal bars.
I have no grudge against the Kikuyu, insists Raila
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has told off his detractors accusing them of spreading propaganda in an attempt to portray him as a tribalist. The PM said that he had no ill feelings against the Kikuyu community and slammed those who were spreading the idea that if he takes the mantle of leadership, he will revenge. The premier was speaking at Gatuanabu PCEA church of Kahuho Parish in Kiambu where he witnessed the unveiling of the foundation stone of the church. Raila urged Kenyans to maintain unity since it was the only thing that will make Kenya move forward. His sentiments were echoed by Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth who took his presidential campaign to Siaya County in Nyanza where he urged the locals to shun tribalism and elect leaders based on merit. Bills deadline Elsewhere, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has acknowledged that as the 27 August deadline for passing some implementation Bills approaches, concerns are being raised over the ability of parliament to beat the deadline but said that there was no crisis. Mr. Musyoka said several of those bills will be debated ahead of August 27 deadline and that when the House Business Committee meets Monday it will explore ways of creating extra time for members to pass the bills. The Vice President who is also the Leader of Government Business in Parliament said the 10th parliament had done exceptionally well in passing bills in the past and should be credited for the role it played in the midwifery of the new constitution. He said whereas every effort will be made to pass the new laws in time, Members of Parliament will also be keen to spend more time scrutinizing and debating the bills to ensure that the country gets quality laws. The Vice President was speaking at Visa Oshwal Religious Centre where he attended a wedding.
Confusing as the pound hits KShs. 145 in London and KShs. 155 in Nairobi. Businessmen in London a confused as the high exchange is wiping off their profit margins
OVERHEARD BY MR. SEED: "Mabwana wetu wamekunyua mbangi mpaka ukipika ugali anasema yeye hashimbi. Lakini akiingia kwa shamba kazi anafanya." - VIDEO
Black candidate dares France to elect him
A Senegalese-born French politician has offered himself as a candidate for France's Socialist Party in a bid to become the country's first black President. Mr Yaya Lam, 46, a France-trained financial expert, officially announced his candidacy last week and remained optimistic that he could spring a big surprise that would set him firmly on the path to the 2012 presidential election. His slogan is "Oser la France", literally translated to mean "Dare France". The Socialist Party, on which former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Khan was expected to mount a strong challenge against President Nicolas Sarkozy, is considering Mr Lam's candidacy ahead of the October 9-16 primaries. So far, only six candidates-- four men and two women including current party boss Martine Aubry--have registered. All the other candidates are white with Aubry and Francois Hollande seen as the outright frontrunners. But in a public statement in Poitiers, France, Mr Lam said he was confident he would make his mark. "The world has changed," he said, apparently referring to US President Barack Obama. "When he (Obama) fielded his candidacy, he practically had no one behind him," said Mr Lam.
Cars, buildings and a bus torched in Tottenham riots
The Metropolitan Police has launched a "major investigation" into the riot in Tottenham, North London which saw attacks on people, fires and looting on Saturday night 6th August, 2011. Officers on the inquiry, codenamed Operation Withern, will interview witnesses and review hours of CCTV in a bid to identify rioters. Fifty-five people arrested during the disorder are being questioned. On Sunday evening, windows at two shops in Enfield High Street were smashed and a police car damaged. Conservative MP for Enfield North, Nick de Bois, said on Twitter there were "lots of people about" in Enfield, describing the situation as "not a riot, but serious disturbance". A BBC producer said 100-120 hooded youths were hanging around station, but the situation appeared to be contained. The Met said it has put additional high visibility patrols working across the capital on Sunday night. Commander Christine Jones said: "We are carefully monitoring any intelligence and ensuring we have our resources in the right places. No one wants to see a repeat of the scenes that we witnessed last night in Tottenham." The violence erupted on Saturday night and Sunday morning following a protest over the fatal shooting of a local man. Shops were attacked and looted, 26 police officers and three others hurt and buildings and vehicles were set ablaze. - VIDEO
A LUO PROVERB Rango matin otami ang' ininyal mathoth. You are unable to look after the little you have, how will you look after much. Look after pennies and pounds will look after themselves.
WORD OF TODAY
Matthew 4:4Why read the Bible? Reading the Bible is about developing a relationship with God, through dependence on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us to engage with the Bible and to face God's challenge in the here and now. He will always point us to Jesus Christ, the heart of God's Word to us, the one who shows us who God is. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). When we try to "live by bread alone," we feed the body but starve the soul. Sometimes ago a man died of starvation in Olympia, Washington, USA. After his death it was discovered that he had $38,000 on deposit in local banks. He never referred to his money, even when the doctors were seeking to check the ravages of malnutrition. He let his body starve with plenty on hand to feed him. Maybe you, my reader, are letting your soul starve, although the Word of God is at hand to provide you with life-giving spiritual food. John Quincy Adams, sixth president of the United States, said, "For years I have read my Bible through once a year. I read It every morning, as the very best way to begin the day." I take this opportunity to invite you in our pray Conference Prayer every Morning from 6-7a.m. call this local number in UK Tel 02030042084 pin No.67299# and you will be able to join us for prayers. It is a free number with landline in UK.
Our Guest Singer Today is the late Angela Chibalonza - CLICK HERE
A KIKUYU PROVERB Nda îmwe yumaga mûici na mûrogî The same womb gives birth to a thief and a poisoner.
Global markets react to downgrade of U.S. credit rating
Standard & Poor's move lowering the U.S. credit rating from AAA to AA+ shook global markets over the weekend as traders reacted to the news. Shares dipped across the Middle East Sunday as the region's exchanges were among the first global markets to open since the historic downgrade. Israel's stock market fell more than 6%, and the Tel Aviv 25 Index ended the trading day down 6.99%. The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) General Index fell 3.7% on Sunday. And the General Index on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange lost 2.5%. In Saudi Arabia, the Tadawul All-Share Index gained less than 0.1% after dropping nearly 5.5% Saturday. The Bank of Israel issued a statement Sunday aimed at reassuring investors. "So far the debt crises abroad have had a limited impact on Israel, due to its macroeconomic strength, achieved by means of adherence to fiscal discipline, among other things, in the last few years," the statement said. But one analyst said the U.S. debt crisis may be a symptom of a larger problem Israel faces. "The United States is in serious trouble, gradually weakening, in a major crisis," said Pinchas Landau, an independent financial advisor in Israel and the publisher of the Landau Report. "This constitutes bad news for the state of Israel. It means that the strategic, financial, military, political backup for Israel is weakening."
Have ever heard of Natural Blue Lagoon in Iceland?
Tommy is in Iceland visiting Blue Lagoon, an artificial swimming pool which has a heeling effect on your skin. Tommy also takes a look at the famous geysers which burst out into the sky. And to end his exhausting day, Tommy jumps into one of the best saunas in Iceland. What a tough job hes got. - VIDEO
A Kenyan crowned winner of Miss Africa New York Pageant
Angela Maina bested eight other women to take the title of Miss Africa New York in the second annual pageant, staged last night in the former St. Paul’s School, New Brighton. The nine competing contestants hail from a range of African countries — Ghana, Liberia, Ethopia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Kenya — according to co-organizer Whyeyeh Smith, with Ladies of Prestige, the group sponsoring the event. The pageant is designed to help the contestants, ranging in age from 19 to 24, tap into their energies and inner beauty through competition. "It helps to build up their self-esteem and put them on the right path — and give them confidence that maybe they didn’t have when they were growing up. The pageant shows them once they get on this track, they can accomplish anything they choose," said Miss Smith. The young ladies, ranging in age from 19 to 24, competed in talent, African-dress, swimwear and evening-gown categories; there was also a question-and-answer with the judges. Miss Maina received a trophy, crown and sash, $500 in cash, and a gift basket. The first runner-up, Staten Islander Tolulope Ibrahim, and the second runner-up, Adiatu Bangura, received $250 and $125 in cash, respectively, and gift baskets. In addition to Ms. Smith, the co-organizers, all with Ladies of Prestige, are: Munah Manneh, president; Trisha Arkoi, vice president, and Laura Cooper, Emmaline Nelson and Maxlyn Sando.
Kisumu bizarre incident
A domestic dispute in Kisian Village, Kisumu ended up in a father abandoning a 3 week old corpse of his month old baby in his in-laws homestead. According to villagers, the man has been squabbling with his wife of 6 years with the two having separated several times leading up to the bizarre taboo incident. The man who had threatened to commit suicide has also threatened his wife with death in 2 days time. - VIDEO
S&P rating: Ripple effects of downgrade The United States has lost its AAA rating from credit rating agency Standard and Poor's. The reaction might be muted. The United States is the world's largest economy and remains a good credit risk. Even after a downgrade, the government will likely still be able to pay its bills for years to come. But since this has never happened before, it's difficult to say how the financial markets will respond. "We've never been through this before. People don't know what to expect," said Ted Weisberg of Seaport Securities, who has spent decades on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. "So you have to be careful." First -- the downgrades from S&P probably aren't over. It's likely that S&P will soon downgrade the debt of mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, along with AAA-rated insurance groups. Fannie and Freddie, which were taken over by the government in 2008, fuel home sales by purchasing mortgages from banks. Also facing downgrades are other entities that rely heavily on the federal government -- like the Federal Home Loan Banks, which support consumer credit by making loans to other banks. Those are the consequences of a downgrade to AA+ as listed by S&P in a report last month.
Explainer: The power of credit rating agencies The political infighting in Washington took on global importance Thursday when the ratings agency Standard & Poor's released a report saying it would downgrade the world's largest economy's credit rating if a deal to raise its debt ceiling is not agreed on soon. This comes after similar warnings from Moody's and Finch -- who, along with S&P, are known as the "Big Three" global credit ratings agencies. Meanwhile, European Union markets reeled this week after Moody's recent credit downgrades of Ireland, Greece and Portugal -- heightening fears that the EU debt crisis will hit the larger economies of Italy and Spain. Government officials on both sides of the Atlantic have railed against the agencies. So how did the global economy become so dependent on the opinions of three companies? Who are the credit rating agencies? The "big three" are Standard's & Poor's, Moody's Investor Services and Fitch Ratings. All originated in the United States, although Fitch has dual headquarters in New York and London. What do they do? Before you can get a credit card, banks run a credit check on you. Similarly, the ratings agencies run credit checks on companies, countries and financial products. Countries are rated on a sliding scale: the U.S., for example, has a top rating (AAA) which allows it to borrow cash at cheap interest rates. The lower the rating grade, however, the higher interest payments a nation must pay to attract investors to buy its bonds. Anything that slips to junk status -- as Ireland, Portugal and Greek government bonds are rated -- is considered a "highly speculative" investment. Furthermore, the pool of eligible investors is reduced -- many institutional investors, such as government pension funds, are forbidden to invest in junk-rated bonds. Why do they wield such power? Investors across the world look to credit rating agencies to judge where to place their bets in the market. For governments, the ratings agencies have a lot of power over the popularity of bonds: cash given to governments by investors that, over time, will pay a return on the original investment -- unless the government defaults. The downgrade of Ireland this week signaled Moody's belief that Ireland has a higher likelihood to default on investments. And global investors have little appetite to invest in those bonds. What does a debt rating downgrade mean? The decisions of the "Big Three" catalyze market moves in often unpredictable ways, creating a strong ripple effect. In the wake of the Greece downgrade last year, for example, investors across the globe started rethinking investment in other governments' bonds and began selling off more risky investments -- throwing the EU into crisis and depressing the value of the euro. There was a similar psychological ripple through the markets this week after Moody's recent downgrades of Ireland and Portugal -- it put the spurs to Italian lawmakers to pass deep cuts in government spending on Thursday and turning up the heat on Washington lawmakers to extend the debt ceiling. How are ratings agencies paid? Historically, they were created to give investors an unbiased assessment of investments and investors paid for access to the ratings. In the 1970s, however, credit rating agencies started charging the issuers of new investments fees for ratings. In 1975, U.S. legislators -- fearing a proliferation of unscrupulous ratings agencies -- designated Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch as the only ratings organizations banks and brokers could use to evaluate the credit worthiness of their products. What are the complaints against the firms? Critics complain the agencies have lost their ability to independently judge the risk on certain investments -- especially in light of AAA ratings given to mortgage-backed securities that imploded when defaults on U.S. home loans shot up, triggering the financial crisis. Critics also note that the agencies are paid by the very entities they rate, raising questions about their trustworthiness."No nation, agency or organization has the authority to dictate terms to the United States Government," U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, said on Wednesday after Moody's placed the U.S. on review for a possible downgrade. Mud fight at Polish Woodstock festival
Revellers dance in mud-water during the 17th Woodstock Festival in Kostrzyn-upon-Odra River, close to the Polish and German border and on right a couple kiss during the 17th Woodstock Festival.
Tottenham police shooting: Dead man was minicab passenger
A man shot dead by police in north London was a passenger in a minicab stopped during a planned operation, the police watchdog has said. Officers stopped the car in Ferry Lane, Tottenham, on Thursday to carry out an arrest when the 29-year-old man, named locally as Mark Duggan, was shot. Three shots were fired. A bullet was found lodged in a police radio. A police officer was also injured in the incident, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said. The injured officer has since been discharged from hospital. The incident took place in Tottenham Hale at about 18:15 BST and Mr Duggan died at the scene. Two shots were fired by an officer and it is believed that one shot was discharged from an illegal firearm inside the car. The IPCC said the dead man had lived in the local area and his family had been informed. Friends of the dead man told BBC London that Mr Duggan, who was also known as Starrish Mark, had become "increasingly paranoid" after his cousin Kelvin Easton was stabbed to death outside La Boheme nightclub in Mile End on 27 March.
Broke man eats money Revellers at a popular pub in Machakos town were astounded when a resident showed rare talent in concealing evidence. The man swallowed a new Sh1,000 note he had stolen from a colleague during a drinking session. It all began when a man named Kasyo got inebriated and as common among boozers, he started bragging about his businesses in town. Trouble ensued when he asked a waiter to issue him with his bill, together with that of his four friends. Deeping his hand into his trouser pockets to ‘remove money that was more than enough’, he discovered the Sh1,000 he still believed was in his left trouser-pocket was missing. As it later emerged, the main suspect, known as Marefu by residents and is famed for imbibing in cheap beer called malanzes (keg) had accurately predicted many people would flood the pub to wipe off sweat for the week and usher in a new month. Members only He was sure people had received their salaries and there was a chance to win a share. With the benefit of hindsight, he arrived on time (Mututho hour) expecting people to shove at the pub entry. Immediately the door was opened, Marefu got himself in the midst of other revellers. Apparently, he had watched the man putting notes in different pockets. In the ensuing confusion at the door, Marefu executed his scheme. He delved into Kasyo’s pocket and stole a thousand shillings note. Then they all went in. Most people in attendance were long-time members and working class except Marefu, whose rare height rendered him loudly conspicuous. And all eyes landed on him the moment Kasyo announced his money was missing. "Mwizi yuko hapa. Kama ni wewe tutakushika na tukurarue sana. Kwanza ni nani si mwanachama? (The thief is here. If you are the one we will catch and tear you apart. Who is not our member?)," exclaimed a reveller. "We must search his pockets," he added. Fretted, Marefu stood and quickly found his way to the urinal for a biological function. There he swallowed the note to conceal any evidence against him. But he was unlucky—two men followed him and found him putting something in his mouth. "Amemeza! Mwizi huyu (he has swallowed the note! He is a thief)," a man shouted. They dragged him back to the bar and beat him. He was chocked and appeared to have difficulties gulping something. A suggestion by one fellow led another to slam him hard on the back. Eventually, he vomited and out came beer and a carefully folded bank note. The ugly sight stopped them from battering him. It was comedy and tragedy at the same time. Many people burst into laughter while others were aghast. He was handed over to police. - Sunday Standard.
A BIG BLOW FOR AMERICANS Unprecedented US Credit Rating Downgrade
Credit rating agency Standard and Poor's has downgraded the United States' credit rating for the first time in the history of the ratings. The country's top AAA rating - which it has held since 1917 - now stands one notch lower, at AA+. Standard and Poor's (S&P) said it made the move because the deficit reduction plan passed by Congress on Tuesday did not go far enough to stabilise the debt situation in the US. To add to the US' woes, the agency has also issued a negative outlook, meaning there is a chance it will lower the rating further within the next two years. The downgrade could have several consequences for normal Americans. If buyers are scared away from US debt, the interest rate paid on US bonds, notes and bills have to rise to attract buyers. This in turn could trickle down to mortgage holders and those wanting to take out loans on big-ticket items like cars. The US government is reported to have fought the downgrade, with a source close to discussions saying the agency's analysis contained "deep and fundamental flaws." S&P had sent the government a draft document in the early afternoon on Friday and, after examining the numbers, the government challenged the analysis. In a statement, the US Treasury said: "A judgment flawed by a £1.2trn ($2trn) error speaks for itself." The US has been on notice from S&P since April, when they were told a downgrade was possible unless Congress and the administration came up with a credible long-term debt reduction plan. The two other main credit agencies, Moody's Investor Service and Fitch, also warned the US it faced a downgrade. Moody's has said the US will keep its AAA rating for now, but that it might still lower it in the future.
What is a rating agency?
AAA, Ba3, Ca, CCC... they look like some kind of hyper-active school report. They are, indeed, a marking system, and one that is designed to inform interested parties. The letter formations are given to large-scale borrowers, whether companies or governments, and tell the buyers of this debt how likely they are to be able to get it back. The score card also affects the amount that should be charged by way of return on that borrowing. These letters have been all over the coverage of the financial impact of the crisis besetting the eurozone. A change to the score means a change to the amount a borrower must pay its debt-holders, something that can make it more expensive to borrow as investors demand a higher rate of return for taking on more risky debt. But while the borrowers in the news - the governments of Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and now even the mighty US - are household names, the ones that have such an impact on their fortunes are not. They are credit-rating agencies, which exist to assess the credit-worthiness of bond issuers - companies or, as in this case, countries who borrow money by issuing IOUs known as bonds. But who are they? Do we need them and how do they work out whether to give the top-of-the-class AAA or a lower grade, such as CCC, which - sticking with the schools analogy - means the issuer is probably planning on bunking off? Poor and MoodyStandard & Poor's (S&P), as the oldest, comes first. It was begun in 1860 by Henry Poor, who wrote a history of the finances of railroads and canals in the United States as a guide for investors. The 'Standard' part came into being in 1906, when the Standard Statistics Bureau was set up to examine finances of non-railroad companies. The two businesses joined forces in the 1940s. Moody's was started in 1909 by John Moody, who published an analysis of the tangled and uncertain world of railway finances, grading the value of its stocks and bonds. These are now mighty concerns - Moody's operating income was $688m in 2010 and Standard & Poor's made $762m. They each have 40% apiece of the business of rating major companies and countries. Fitch, with another eponymous founder, John Fitch, was set up in 1913 and is a smaller version of the other two.
Markets Slide But US Bucks The Trend
Many stock markets worldwide have suffered more falls but the US Dow Jones ended higher in volatile trading after better-than-expected jobs growth figures. In London, the FTSE 100 index of leading UK shares closed the day at 5246.99, down 146 points or 2.71%. More than £148bn has been wiped off the FTSE's value since trading opened on Monday - a plunge of 568.2 points or 10.15% - caused by the eurozone debt crisis and fears the economy is stalling. In other European markets, Germany's DAX ended Friday down 2.8% and the CAC in France fell 1.2%. Italy was 1.7% lower and Spain dipped by 0.2%. But in the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.54% at the close. The broader S&P 500 dipped 0.06%, while the technology-based Nasdaq Composite fell 0.94%. For the week - the worst for American markets in more than two years, the Dow fell by a total of 5.8%, the S&P 500 was down 7.2% and the Nasdaq was off 8.1%. The Nikkei index on the Tokyo Stock Exchange slumped by 5.4% since Monday. There have been worries this week that Italy and Spain may need a bailout. Italy has tried to reassure investors by pledging to work for a constitutional amendment requiring the government to balance its budget in 2013, a year earlier than planned. Spain says its prime minister Jose Luis Zapatero and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have agreed a need for co-ordination from governments to react to global economic fears. Meanwhile, David Cameron has talked to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the phone and they agreed to closely monitor the current instability in worldwide stock markets. And US President Barack Obama has spoken separately to Mr Sarkozy and Ms Merkel on the eurozone crisis. Investors have delivered votes of no confidence in the global economic recovery for five days. News that 117,000 new jobs were created in the US last month helped bring some comfort to investors at lunchtime - before despair then resumed in markets amid concerns of slower global growth. US analysts said the sell-off was driven by investor fears over the European debt crisis and anxiety about domestic issues like slow growth, high unemployment and falling consumer confidence and spending. Such disappointing economic data has led to talk of the possibility of America's fragile recovery failing, pushing the country in to a second recession. President Obama reassured Americans that although more needed to be done, the situation would improve. He said: "What I want the American people and our partners around the world to know is this: We are going to get through this. "We need to create a self-sustaining cycle where people are spending and companies are hiring and our economy is growing and we've known that will take some time." On Thursday, almost £50bn was knocked off the value of the FTSE 100, as it plunged by 191 points or 3.43%.
WORD OF TODAY
Genesis 12: 1-8Come out of Your Comfort Zone When God called Abram , He moved out in faith from Ur to Haran and finally to Canaan. God then established a covenant with Abram, telling him that He would found a great nation. Not only would this nation be blessed through Abram‘s descendants. Israel, the nation that would come from Abram, was to follow God and influence those with whom it come in contact. Through Abram`s family tree. Jesus Christ was born to save humanity. Through Christ, people can have a personal relationship with God and be blessed beyond measure. God is calling you to move from whatever hinder you from following Him and start a new walk with Him, leave your bed early morning and start giving Him some time and your life will never be the same, let us run the race without looking back - 1Corinthians 9: 26 says - Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly, I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat that after I have preached to others I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. I take this opportunity to invite you in our pray Conference Prayer every Morning from 6-7a.m. call this local number in UK Tel 02030042084 pin No.67299# and you will be able to join us for prayers. It is a free number with landline in UK.
Our Guest Singer Today is Rachel Njeri from Nottingham, UK - CLICK HERE
Humanitarian initiative nears Kshs 0.5b target
The Corporate world and Kenyans of good will came together in an initiative launched by the Kenya Red Cross to save lives amid a humanitarian food crisis in the Northern Kenya. The Kenyans for Kenya Initiative cash donations has hit the over 470 million shillings mark just 25 million shillings short of the half a billion shillings target. The corporate world leaders in their own rights for a moment kept aside their competition and differences in business matters for a noble cause in response to save the lives of more than 3.5 million Kenyans facing starvation following failed rains in parts of Northern Kenya. On Thursday, the CEOs were on the ground in the greater Turkana region to witness the situation firsthand; old men and women and children all in desperate need of food. And when they came to the drawing table Friday, it was evident that they were not only ready to assist, but do so in a big way, generously contributed both in cash and in kind. All of them had one message, that the cycle of famine in Northern Kenya can and must be fixed. As at 3pm today the Kenyans contributions was standing at 133 million while the corporate companies had donated 247 million with the Giant google company donating 92 million Kshs. Starvation claims 14 lives in Turkana
At least 14 people have died in Kenya's north-eastern Turkana region - the first hunger-related Kenyan deaths in the current regional drought. The MP for Turkana, John Munyes, said the deaths were in three remote villages after the government failed to transport food to drought victims. The UN says more than four million Kenyans are threatened by starvation in the region's worst drought in 60 years. Other countries affected are Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti. The 14 people who died were Kenyan adults, but children are also severely malnourished, our reporter says. Mr Munyes, who is the labour minister in Kenya's coalition government, said the death toll would have been higher if the Red Cross was not distributing aid in Turkana. "It would have been a disaster," he said. Mr Munyes said the deaths were not caused by a shortage of food, but by a "lack of logistics". The government had failed to transport food to villages, he said. US Secretary of State Our reporter says many people in Turkana feel abandoned and are appealing to the international community to pay more attention to their plight. The UN says the drought has been caused by a lack of rains for successive years. It has declared a famine in parts of Somalia, which is worst affected. About 1,300 Somalis - mostly women and children - are crossing into Kenya each day in search of food, the UN says. On Thursday, the UN's Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) said that famine was "likely to persist until at least December 2011". On Thursday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on the militants to let the aid through in Somalia. "Al-Shabab are preventing assistance to the most vulnerable populations in Somalia," she said. "I call on al-Shabab to allow assistance to be delivered in an absolutely unfettered way throughout the area... so that as many lives as possible can be saved." Some 3.2 million people in Somalia are in need of immediate life-saving assistance - almost half the population, the UN says.
Capital Talk - Soiya Gecaga Part.1-4
http://www.youtube.com/user/K24TV#p/u/9/kvIPVLfE8o0 http://www.youtube.com/user/K24TV#p/u/8/N479Y1G-r9Y http://www.youtube.com/user/K24TV#p/u/7/aTluKOEriY4 http://www.youtube.com/user/K24TV#p/u/6/EkblXrnB9bQ
'Gaddafi's Youngest Son Killed By Nato'
Khamis, 28, is one of seven sons of Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi and on right Saif Gaddafi - one of the sons of the Libyan leader - was killed in April Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's youngest son has been killed by Nato strikes in Libya, according to reports. Rebel forces have said the Libyan leader's son Khamis was among more than 30 people dead following an air strike on an operation centre in the western town of Zlitan. Spokesman for revolutionary militia groups Mohammed Zawawi told AFP that spies operating among Gaddafi's ranks had confirmed the death. "Overnight there was an aircraft attack by Nato on the Gaddafi operations room in Zlitan and there are around 32 Gaddafi troops killed - one of them is Khamis," he said. It is the second time this year that there have been claims Khamis has died.
Mr. Bean Has Crash In 230mph Supercar
Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson has been taken to hospital after his 230mph McLaren F1 supercar hit a tree. The Blackadder star is believed to have suffered a shoulder injury in the crash on the A605 in Haddon, Cambridgeshire. According to reports, the 56-year-old - who also played the lead role in the Blackadder series - was driving the supercar when it spun around several times, ran into a tree and a lamppost and caught fire. The actor is said to have walked from the vehicle and was with a passing motorist until emergency services arrived. "We were called to a single vehicle road traffic collision at 7.30pm on the A605 at Haddon," East of England Ambulance Service said on Thursday night.
Polar bear kills 'British tourist' in Norway A polar bear has mauled a young British tourist to death and seriously injured four others in a remote area of Norway, according to the country's state media. The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation reported that they were tourists with the British Schools Exploring Society. The governor's office in Svalbard district confirmed four people were in hospital and the bear had been killed. The UK Foreign Office has confirmed its embassy in Oslo is "urgently" looking into the reports. The attack at Von Postbreen, about 25 miles (40km) from Longyearbyen, took place early on Friday. Four people injured in the mauling were flown to Longyearbyen hospital and are due to be airlifted to a hospital in Tromsoe, the governor's office spokeswoman said. "We got a call via satellite phone from a British group of campers that there had been a polar bear attack and that one person was dead and that others were injured and they needed assistance," she said. "There are no roads in the area of the Von Postbreen glacier where the incident happened so we scrambled a helicopter." The British Schools Exploring Society's (BSES) head office in London would not confirm that they were involved, but said their chairman would make a statement later.
Kenya parliament to extend sittings Key government institutions and parliamentarians have pledged to work round the clock to ensure all bills crucial to the implementation of the constitution are enacted before the end of this month. This was agreed upon during the parliamentary Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee meeting with House Speaker Kenneth Marende, Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC), Attorney General Amos Wako, Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, Kenya Law Reform Commission, cabinet ministers and other stakeholders. CIOC chair Abdikadir Mohamed said they had reached a consensus to work together without apportioning blame to meet the timeline. He noted that parliament had also agreed to extend sittings of the house to debate and pass the bills. Abdikadir said the Attorney General, CIC and KLRC will work over the weekends to ensure publication of 15 bills. He said the committee will only intervene if the institutions fail to deliver.Elsewhere, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has received a clean bill of health from the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) to be appointed as a commissioner to the Judicial Service Commission. Dr Kobia who was nominated by the president in consultation with the Prime Minister to fill a vacancy left following the exit of Bishop Anthony Muheria who resigned from office received the unanimous support of the committee. The committee in its report terms him as experienced with the necessary qualifications to serve in the commission tasked with vetting afresh judges and magistrates to determine their suitability in office. The committee in examining his background looked into his professional and personal life including political affiliation, tax compliance and potential of conflict of interest. Parliament will now debate the report and if approved, forward his name to the president for subsequent appointment. Dr. Kobia if cleared by parliament for appointment will replace Bishop Anthony Mwiria who resigned from the judicial body sometime in June citing other commitments making it difficult for him to continue serving in the commission tasked with vetting a fresh judges and magistrates. Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim directing the Oversight Committee to begin probing his background last month gave until 2nd of August to table their report.
Okemo, Gichuru lawyers challenge extradition orders The extradition case involving Nambale MP Chris Okemo and former Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) manager Samuel Gichuru began Thursday with the defense alleging that the process was in contravention of the constitution. Defense lawyer Fred Ngatia, further argued that the arrest warrants issued through the office of the Director of public prosecutions were defective as the same should have originated from the office of the attorney general. The officials from the island of Jersey seek to extradite the two to stand trial for allegedly laundering 900 million shillings acquired through corruption. Submitting before Senior principle magistrate Grace Macharia, lawyer Fred Ngatia representing the two Kenyans told the court that his clients planned extradition to the island of Jersey in the united kingdom lacked the right of a fair hearing which is in breach of their fundamental rights as enshrined in the constitution. Ngatia also sighted flaws in the nature of the issuance of arrest warrants arguing that the same should have originated from the attorney general's office and not from the office of the director of public prosecutions. He further poked holes on a letter sent to the DPP's office by officials from the island of jersey that allegedly labeled the accused persons as fugitives saying the title infringes on the basic principles of the right of the accused which upholds the right of innocence until proven guilty. The court was informed that the evidence against the accused relied on witnesses based in jersey who allege that they were bribed. The state will reply to the submissions on 13th of September. Okemo and Gichuru are wanted in the Island of jersey to answer to money laundering and corruption charges. They are accused of a 900 million shillings scam and receiving bribes from international companies between 1999 and 2002. British fraud detectives have provided a detailed trail of movement of funds by the different parties involved, listing the charges as concealing or transferring of proceeds under the offence of money laundering.
RBS pushed into loss by Greek crisis and PPI costs
Royal Bank of Scotland has reported a half-year loss after taking a £733m provision for its exposure to Greek government bonds. RBS - 84%-owned by UK taxpayers - reported losses after tax of £1.4bn for the six months to 30 June. RBS also allocated £850m to cover claims for the mis-selling of Payment Protection Insurance (PPI). Chief Executive Stephen Hester also confirmed the bank would cut about 2,000 jobs in the next 12 to 18 months. "We are forced to stay efficient and that will mean ongoing tight attention to costs," said Mr Hester. It is not known where the job cuts will fall. RBS has cut 27,500 jobs since the financial crisis in an effort to cut its costs and improve profits. The struggling bank led the falls on the FTSE on Friday, its shares opening down more than 13% before recovering. At 12:00 BST, shares were still the biggest faller - down around 5.8%. Continuing worries about the impact of the eurozone debt crisis and faltering US economy on businesses have seen markets fall sharply since Wednesday.
'Chapati' poisons dozens in Naivasha
Twenty people including seven minors are admitted in critical condition at the Naivasha district hospital from suspected food poisoning. The patients all from Njabini in Kinangop Nyandarua County were brought in after consuming chapatis on Thursday evening. There were fears that the number could rise as those affected were brought in pick-ups and matatus, were all suffering from hallucinations. The patients also complained of blurred vision, being weak, vomiting, stomachache and headache. Former Kinangop MP Waithaka Mwangi who was among the first to visit the patients called for speedy investigations into the issue. Following the incident, public health officers from Naivasha and Kinangop embarked on a major operation to track the source of the contaminated flour. According to a victim Ms Grace Wanjiku who was in stable condition, problem started hours after consuming the chapatis. "The minors started complaining of stomach aches and later my husband acted like someone possessed by evil spirits," Wanjiku whose ten year old son is also admitted in the hospital said that they had bought the wheat flour from a posho mill in Njabini town. The medical superintendent in charge of the hospital Dr Joseph Mburu said that initial examinations had established that the victims were suffering from food poisoning. "We currently have ten patients and we expect the number to rise as more are coming in but all are in stable conditions," Mburu said that the flour could have been contaminated by a weed datura stramonium based on the patients' symptoms. And addressing the press, Kinangop and Naivasha District Public Health Officers Mr William Sani and Samuel King'ori respectively said that five families were affected. According to Sani the posho mill that sold the contaminated flour had been closed and the owner was recording a statement with police. On his part, King'ori said that they had established that the flour had originated from a cereal store in a Naivasha store. "Our officers are on the ground following the issue to make sure that no more contaminated wheat flour is sold," he said.
FTSE Loses £50bn As World Markets Tumble
Almost £50bn has been wiped off the value of the FTSE as the EU president warned the eurozone crisis is spreading. The listing for the UK's top 100 companies closed at 5393, down 191 points or 3.43%, taking £49.8bn from its value. It is the biggest fall on the FTSE for more than two years. Since last Friday morning, £124.97bn, or 8.17%, has been wiped off the value of the FTSE 100. Big fallers included satellite communications firm Inmarsat - collapsing 19.31% despite record profits, Lloyds Banking Group down 10.19% and mining group Vedanta's 9.39% decline. US stocks plunged sharply to new 2011 lows as worries about Europe's sovereign debt problems and the weak US economy stoked fears of a double-dip recession. When the New York Stock Exchange closed the Dow Jones industrial average was down 4.31% - its worst day since the 2008 financial crisis. The broader S&P 500 was off 4.8% and the tech-based Nasdaq composite 5.08% lower. "We are now in correction mode," Standard & Poor chief investment strategist Sam Stovall said. "We could have another couple of weeks to go before it bottoms." The Cac40 in France closed almost 4% down, Germany's Dax fell 3.4% and Italy's main index was down more than 5.1%. Gold climbed before dropping nearly 1% - a swing of around $43 in New York, as investors seek out new safe havens. "Even gold is susceptible.
People are pretty much getting out of everything, except cash and bonds," Kingsview Financial head trader and strategist Matt Zeman said. In a letter to European Union leaders, Jose Manuel Barroso said: "Whatever the factors behind the lack of success, it is clear that we are no longer managing a crisis just in the euro area periphery." He called for a re-assessment of all elements of the eurozone's current and future bailout funds. And he told them the eurozone needs to convince markets that it can respond to the debt crisis. There are concerns about the Spanish and Italian economies. Speaking on Sky News, the chief executive of the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) Doug McWilliams said: "(Italian Prime Minister Silvio) Berlusconi hasn't solved the problem of the Italian economy, which has now become uncompetitive with the Euro." Greece has already been bailed out twice by the eurozone countries and Ireland has also required extra money to help rescue its precarious financial situation. The CEBR said that, with Italy's economy being twice as big as Greece, Portugal and the Ireland combined, a bailout may be unaffordable for the eurozone. Sky business reporter Tadhg Enright said investors are concerned about the dwindling global economic recovery: "We saw earlier this week crisis just barely averted when a looming default by the US government on its debt was averted. "But that shone a spotlight on the state of its economy, growth in the second quarter of the year was far less than expectations."
OVERHEAD BY MR.S EED: "Can you hear me well you African British - you always say that you want equality and a fair trial. There is no fair trail and judgment in this world. If God use a fair trial on you, you should have been dead by now. We live by God's grace and not fair trial." - Pastor Anthony Kimani, London Misssion Christian Centre.
Wall Street suffers worst selloff in two years
Europe's sovereign debt crisis has defied remedies and threatens to engulf large euro-zone economies Spain and Italy. Mayor crushes illegally parked car with tank
The mayor of Vilnius, in Lithuania, has an aggressive way of cracking down on illegal parking… and has released a video demonstrating his non-nonsense approach. In the hilarious footage, which has swiftly gone viral, publicity hungry Arturas Zuokas finds a Mercedes illegally parked in a cycle lane. Rather than simply issuing a ticket, the smiling mayor runs it over with a soviet-era armoured personnel carrier. After completely crushing the flash motor, a delighted Zuokas then sweeps up the debris himself, before cycling away on a bike. He says in the video: "In the past few days, expensive cars have been illegally parked in almost this exact place - a Rolls-Royce and a Ferrari. "What should the city do about drivers who think that they are above the law? It seems that a tank is the best solution." Apparently the car didn't belong to a real driver, and was instead bought specifically for the publicity stunt. Nonetheless, we reckon the drivers of Vilnius will think twice before stopping in a cycle lane again.
Wall Street and global markets tumble on debt fears Wall Street had its worst day for almost three years as shares tumbled on fears about the eurozone debt crisis and the US economic recovery. The Dow Jones index closed down more than 500 points, or 4.3%, and came after the leading European bourses fell more than 3%. It was the biggest one-day fall for the Dow since October 2008. Earlier, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso warned that the sovereign debt crisis was spreading. Also in New York, the S&P 500 index fell 4.8% and the tech-rich Nasdaq was more than 5% lower. Meanwhile, Frankfurt's Dax and London's FTSE 100 indexes had their worst day this year, closing almost 3.5% lower as investors fretted that Italy and Spain might become engulfed in the debt crisis. "People are throwing in the towel because they can't find relief on any front," said Milton Ezrati, market strategist at Lord Abbett. Investors sought the relative safety of gold, sending the price of the metal to a new record high of $1,677 an ounce. Bank shares hit More weak jobs data from the US also raised concerns about the strength of the economic recovery there. Wall Street's financial power houses were hit hard, with JP Morgan and Bank of America falling 5% and 7.4% respectively. In Europe, Lloyds Banking Group fell 9.9% and Royal Bank of Scotland was down 7%. France's Societe Generale lost 6.9% and Germany's Commerzbank dropped 6.8% in Frankfurt. Miners also suffered, with Vedanta Resources slumping 9.5% and Xstrata and Eurasian Natural Resources falling more than 8% in London. The oil price also slumped on fears that a weaker global recovery would hit demand. Benchmark West Texas crude for September delivery fell $5.30, or 5.8%, to $86.63 a barrel. Brent crude fell 5.3% to $107.25. Since 21 July, the Dow has lost more than 1,300 points, or 10.5% of its value, and Thursday's fall was the index's ninth-steepest decline ever. In a letter to European governments, Mr Barroso warned that the eurozone debt crisis was spreading beyond the so-called periphery nations of Greece, Portugal and the Republic of Ireland.
Market DataLast Updated at 00:12
He said markets "remain to be convinced that we are taking appropriate steps to resolve the crisis". He called on them to give their "full backing" to the euro, and urged leaders to take swift action to implement the changes to the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) agreed at last month's summit of eurozone leaders. The EFSF is essentially Europe's rescue fund, which leaders agreed should be able to buy government debt in "exceptional financial market circumstances". Reports suggested that the European Central Bank (ECB) had already begun buying government bonds to help support countries with high borrowing costs. At a press conference to announce the bank was keeping eurozone rates on hold at 1.5%, ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet merely said the process of buying bonds was "ongoing" and fully transparent. Higher rates Mr Trichet's and Mr Barroso's comments came as fears grew that Spain and Italy may be dragged into the debt crisis. On Thursday, the interest rate, or yield, that Spain had to agree to pay to raise 2.2bn euros ($3.1bn; £1.9bn) for three years rose sharply to 4.8% from 4% at a similar bond auction in early June. This reflects heightened concerns about Spain's ability to repay its debts. Spain also said it had suspended a bond auction due for 18 August. However, analysts said demand for Thursday's bond issue was strong and despite the rise in rates, suggested 4.8% was a sustainable rate of interest for Madrid to pay. Yields in the secondary market, on Italian government bonds as well as Spanish, did not move significantly higher despite the auction. In Italy, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi continued his attempts to calm the markets, which began with a speech on the economy to parliament on Wednesday. Mr Berlusconi met union leaders and employers' representatives, and pledged a number of measures to try to increase confidence in the Italian economy.
Euro crisis: Barroso warns debt crisis is spreading
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has warned that the sovereign debt crisis is spreading beyond the periphery of the eurozone. In a letter to European governments, he called on them to give their "full backing" to the euro currency zone. He also said governments should rapidly re-assess the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) to reduce the risk of contagion in the eurozone. His comments further rattled the markets, which closed sharply lower. The main London and Frankfurt indexes closed 3.4% lower, while the Cac 40 in Paris ended down 3.9%. The Dow, the main US market, was down 3%. It is also being reported that the European Central Bank has been buying bonds. Sources quoted by Reuters said that the bonds being bought were those issued by Portugal and the Irish Republic - crisis-hit countries who have found it more expensive to borrow on the open markets - and that the ECB had no plans to buy any other bonds. In his regular press conference after the European Central Bank's interest rate meeting, Jean-Claude Trichet would say only that bond buying was "an ongoing programme".
Thousands of Kenyans in Dubai denied visas
Committee chair Adan Keynan said it will only take the President to intervene and save the jobs of over 40-thousand Kenyans working in the Emirates The chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations Adan Keynan Tuessday claimed the unbecoming behavior by a senior government official while on a tour of the United Arab Emirate has almost costing thousands of Kenyans their job. Keynan said it will only take the President to intervene and save the over 40-thousand Kenyans working in the Emirates their jobs. But Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister Richard Onyanka attributed the tribulation facing Kenyans in the Kingdom of Emir to the Ministry of Labour which has made it almost impossible to register all organizations undertaking foreign job placements for Kenyans mostly to the Arab world. Onyacha said it was unfortunate that most Kenyans just jump to a plane in the first instance when they are offered a job in a foreign country without even informing the Kenyan authorities hence ending up being enslaved or being forced to prostitution. He said in the UAE case high level talks have been taken place and even the president met the UAE foreign affairs minister in May this year to bolster the Kenyan relations with the government of the Emir. Onyanka said the mistreatment of the Prince by the immigration officials last year caused a diplomatic spat which led to Kenyans being slapped with a degree requirement to enter the Emirates. He added that such actions have made it difficult for Kenyans seeking Visas to work there. He said after this punitive step, the government engaged the Emir government in talks and the requirement was dropped but now those seeking jobs in UAE are being vetted on individual basis. Onyanka told Parliament the Emir government was within its jurisdiction to admit and deny any entry but the Ministry was working on modalities to sign a labour relations bilateral agreement that will cushion Kenyans from exploitation and ensure that there is data of Kenyans working abroad their safety. The matter was however referred to the committee on foreign relations which is required to report back to Parliament in 90 days. Onyonka was responding to a question by Gichugu MP Martha Karua who had sought to know how many Kenyans have been denied permits to work in Dubai.
PCEA MEN'S BREAKFAST ON SATURDAY 6TH AUGUST PCEA UK Outreach Men Fellowship is very active in London and they always hold a breakfast for men in every first week of the month. The next breakfast will place on Saturday 6th July, 2011 at their church in Brickfield Christian Centre, Welfare Road, Stratford, London, E15 4HT which starts at 8.00 a.m. They do welcome men from other churches to join. During their last meeting the men moved to a step forward when they formed a co-operative - Jitegemea UK Development SACCO. The SACCO will include men from other denominations in order to promote developments in UK and in Kenya. Their main aim is to buy a large piece of land in Kenya and sub-divide it into plots where the investments will keep them together abroad and in Kenya. They are appearing to other men to join the fellowship so that they can work together. The members agreed to break the contributions into shares according to one's ability. One share was fixed at £20 per month and you can buy as many shares as you want. A bank account has been opened and the contributions starts as from the month of July, 2011. If interested you can contact the secretary Mr. Githinji on 07838912852. You don't need to be a member of PCEA to be a member.
Do you know? One South Sudanese Pound (£1) is equivalent to KShs. 30
A treat for The Right Rev. Timothy Ranji in the Midlands
The bishop of Mt. Kenya South The Right Rev. Timothy Ranji (left) is in UK. While in the UK he received a special treat in West Midlands last weekend. His visit was meant to be a low profile but he got time for a trip to Birming sa follow-up of his flocks. The bishop is in the UK for a Christian awareness conference in Cambridge. While in Birmingham he was surprise by friends when they presented him with a cake marking his 7 years anniversary since he was consecrated as a bishop. He was also given a special treat by the manager of Akamba Park in Birmingham where he managed to see a creational of Kenya Wildlife Park. He was escorted by Rev. Giteru and Sister Esther Wakangau among other guests. Bishop Ranji contact in UK is 07432219978.
The Financial Times says European policymakers are struggling to contain the global financial turbulence as markets drop and investors seek safer asset havens.
Barclays bank announces possible job cuts Barclays Bank Kenya Wednesday allayed fears of a second round of retrenchment following an announcement by Barclays Bank London that a second round of retrenchment will see 3000 employees rendered jobless worldwide. The local franchise said after lying off close to 200 people in January this year, staff cost dropped from 4.3 billion shillings to 3.7 billion this year. The bank reported a decline in its profit after tax by 1.96 per cent to 3.6 billion shillings in the period under review down from 3.7 billion booked over a similar period last year. On Tuesday, Barclays Bank London announced that the bank plans to send home 3000 workers in a painful but necessary restructuring process aimed at saving the bank close to 140 billion shillings. This follows poor performance of the bank which has seen Group pretax profit for the six months ended June slump 33 percent to 4.3 billion dollars. Barclays Bank Kenya managing director Adan Mohamed said that with the restructuring undertaken by the bank, staff costs dropped to Sh3.7 billion in the first half of 2011 from Sh4.3 billion in 2010 saving the bank close to a billion shillings in staff cost. Loans and advances extended to customers marginally dropped to 6.2 billion from 7.7 billion. This had a direct bearing on fees and commissions income on loans and advances, which dropped to 986 million down from Sh1 billion over a similar period in June 30th 2010.
WORD OF TODAY
Psalms 63: 1-7A desire for God's Presence, Provision and Protection My beloved when you read this passage you find that those were days when David was running from Soul and he dwelled in caves and in forests. He longed for Gods presence, provision and protection, no matter what is surrounding us we should know one thing, that our God has promised that He will not leave us nor forsake us. Even if we walk through fire He promise it will not burn us, and through waters we will not be drawn, and when the enemy come like a flood God will set a standard, so fear not you will shine again I promise you. Dearest one, be strong in the Lord in His mighty power, David in Psalms 63 from verse one says God had spoken I have heard this; that power belong to our God. Remember God will never ever leave you. He has not promised that trouble will not come BUT He will be with you in trouble, lift your eyes to Jesus Christ, He share what you are going through, He love you.
Our Guest Singer Today is Dorcas Ndambuki from Ukambani - CLICK HERE
His body released by police after two months in the mortuary
The late Charles Bunyasi passed away following a robbery on 11th June 2011 in South London. His body was released by police on Tuesday 2nd July, 2011 two months down the line. The Kenyan man who is a father of three was delivering flowers to a customer when a Jamaican man, 28 years followed him behind with his car with an intent to steal Mr. Bunyasi's delivery van. Immediately Mr. Bunyasi came out of the van, the man parked his car nearby and took Mr. Bunyasi's van while the engine was still running. Mr. Bunyasi tried to stop him but the man run over him killing him on spot. Luckily the neighbours had seen the drama as it unfolds. After running away with the van the man paid a breakdown serviceman £200 to go a fetch the car for him. The police were waiting near the car to see who would pick up the car. The unsuspecting breakdown man was caught and he explained to the police. The man and two others has been taken to court (see link below). Charles Bunyasi is a son to Mzee and Mama Samson Bunyasi of Ndalu Scheme, Transzoia county. The Family and the funeral committee would like to invite all of you to a Requiem Mass to be held on Tuesday 9th August, 2011 from 1pm at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 4LD. There will be refreshments thereafter at the church hall. The body will then be repatriated to Kenya for "His Last Journey" thereafter. The burial will be held at their Family homestead in Ndalu Scheme in Transnzoia County on 13th August, 2011. The wife and the children who lives in South London will be attending the funeral. Job Wamalwa -07868997978, Hezekiah Owili -07525270300 or Wanjiru wa Njenga (Tievo) -07958046552. (see link below). http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3636015/Van-man-killer-pair-to-appear-in-court.html
13 killed in Nigeria as bus runs over robbery victimsThirteen people were killed when a speeding bus ran over robbery victims forced to lie face down on a main road south of Nigeria’s capital, police said Wednesday 3rd August, 2011. “I can confirm 13 dead. The incident happened on Tuesday on the Lokoja-Okene road. The bus was heading to Abuja when robbers stopped it and ordered the passengers to disembark,” police spokesman Yemi Ajayi told AFP. “As the passengers were ordered to lie face down, (another) bus ran over them at top speed, killing 13 and injuring many others, ” he said. Local media said up to 50 people were killed in the accident. Ajayi said no arrests were made as the robbers fled the scene before police arrived. Cases of bus robbery are common on Nigeria’s inter-city roads.
Southampton cocaine haul 'is UK's biggest'
The 90% pure drugs were so well hidden it took six days to find them The UK's largest ever seizure of a Class A drug has been made from a luxury yacht in Southampton, the UK Border Agency has said. Officials found 1.2 tonnes of cocaine with a street value of up to £300m in the £1m yacht two months ago. The 90% pure drugs were so well hidden in the 65ft pleasure cruiser, the Louise, it took six days to find them. They had originated in South America and were en route to the Netherlands. Dutch police have arrested six men. They are thought to be an organised crime gang. French authorities were alerted to the Louise while it was in the Caribbean in May and it was then tracked to Southampton, on its way to Holland. Officials spent six days searching the vessel and found the drugs packed in a specially-designed compartment beneath the boat's bathing platform, UKBA said. It is understood the cocaine was packed inside the boat while it was in Venezuela. The average purity of cocaine seized at the UK border is 63%, officials said. The haul is estimated to be worth about £50m wholesale and up to £300m on the streets. Since the drugs were found in June, the UKBA has helped Dutch police track members of the gang and six Dutch nationals were arrested during early morning raids on Tuesday. A 60-year-old, who owns the boat, was arrested in Meppel. His three sons, aged 27, 32 and 34, are also being held following police raids in Waalwijk and Heusden. Two 44-year-old men were also arrested in Amsterdam. A total of 100,000 euros (£87,300), two Harley Davidson motorcycles, two firearms, a silencer and a quantity of ecstasy were also seized.
Debate on Political Parties Bill begins
Enormous fake designer clothing haul seized
Fake designer clothes worth about £750,000 have been seized at Stansted Airport. In a month-long operation the UK Border Agency discovered approximately 15,000 items of counterfeit clobber. The haul included brands like Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Hugo Boss, La Martina and Fred Perry. The goods had been shipped over from Turkey as freight, and were discovered in June. They’ve now been confirmed as fake by the rights holders. Sarah Wolstenholme, the UK Border Agency's assistant director at Stansted Airport, said the smuggler’s techniques for bringing the dodgy menswear into the UK was not clever. “We often see smugglers adopting quite sophisticated techniques in an attempt to evade detection, but in these three instances there was little subtlety involved. “The items were all listed simply as courier material, with no commercial value. The fact that such limited information had been provided immediately attracted suspicion.” She added: “Make no mistake, the manufacture and sale of counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime. The profit that smugglers make from these items is often recycled into other more serious forms of criminality. “Many people enjoy finding a bargain but counterfeit goods are just the tip of the criminal iceberg. Quite simply, if a price appears too good to be true, whether found on the internet or at a car boot sale, it probably is.”
Raila defends GMO importation
Prime Minister Raila Odinga wants those opposed to GMO to appreciate the essence of innovative science. Raila who was taken to task over the importation of GM maize into the country said no such maize has entered Kenya and that a section of leaders have designed a campaign to create fear and despondence amongst Kenyans. Naivasha MP John Mututho claimed the maize was already being sold to unsuspecting Kenyans. Responding to claims that Kenyans were already being fed on GM Maize the Premier took issue with the campaign orchestrated by a section of leaders saying no such food had entered Kenya even though the cabinet had given a green light for its importation. Raila defended the GM maize saying even parliament had passed the Biosafety Bill adding that if indeed the said food was injurious to human health advanced economies like America would not have allowed its citizens to partake it. He urged Parliament not to create fear amongst Kenyans now that various agencies are denoting food to those ravaged by drought. But MPs cited available research on the hazards of GMOs saying even the WHO had warned on the long term effects of such foods. The PM said as of now, regulations guiding the importation of GM Maize were with government printer awaiting publication and that no miller has applied for a license to import such maize.
Zuma Zuma Boys from Kenya wow Americans The amazing Kenyan Acrobatic Troupe, Zuma Zuma from Mombasa once again 'wowed' Americans with their latest instalment of high-energy acrobatics on national TV. Making their third appearance on NBC’s America’s Got Talent on Tuesday evening, the Kenyan team once again received a standing ovation from the audience and favourable reviews from the judges. Easily jumping from one pole to the other like monkeys, the Kenyan boys once again showed just how flexible they are during their routine. With new elements to the act, the delivery of the act was intense and exciting. The two poles in the center of the stage were three floors high and had the contestants pushing the boundaries of movement in a unique way. From Kenya with smiles, enthusiasm and a winning attitude but now operating from Hollywood and Las Vegas, the group continually brings gymnastics, jumping, juggling, balancing and contortion into their act- delivered with the precession and speed that always leave the audience gasping for breath. With only 90 seconds to show that they are worth a million dollars, the group jumps from one stunt to the next; barely letting the audience catch their breath. Sharing exactly what they are capable of, without a mat, the group did some stunts that are ‘dangerous at home’ and definitely worth a show. The question is if the group performed well enough for America to vote for their act. Kenyans were last night reaching to each other and asking other Kenyans to text in and vote for the homeboys. With the competition intensifying with everybody claiming stakes in the one million dollar prize that is up for crabs, Zuma Zuma will need every vote from Kenyans in US to advance. On Wednesday, after the voting is in, America will find out who will be going home and who moves on with the four slots available in the semifinals. Will the homeboys advance? Good luck! - The Standard.
IF YOU ARE IN USA VOTE FOR THIS KENYAN BOYS The did a wonderful performance on Tuesday night - ring and support them
Urgency: Pass 12 Bills in next three weeks or else...
A constitutional crisis is knocking and to turn it away Parliament will have to work longer hours, including sitting through weekends. This is the only way the House would clear pending business critical to smooth transition next year and attainment of full implementation of the Constitution, with the deadlines set out. According to the new Constitution failure to pass certain laws within specified periods could trigger a High Court declaration leading to a premature dissolution of the Tenth Parliament. The Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) recommended yesterday that Parliament must sit longer hours, even on days it usually does not, mainly Fridays and weekends, to meet the timelines. The committee accused outgoing Attorney General Amos Wako, the Cabinet chaired by President Kibaki, and the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) of sitting on 12 important Bills that ought to be debated and enacted into law by August 27. This is the day the Constitution turns a year since promulgation. Among the critical Bills delayed is the Elections Bill 2011, which will set rules for the first General Election under the new Constitution.It was the 2007 General Election that threw the country into turmoil, leading to violence and the killing of over 1,200 people and displaced another 500,000. This paved the way for far-reaching reforms to avoid repeat chaos. Traditionally, Parliament sits for the whole day on Wednesday and in the afternoons on Tuesdays, and Thursdays. On Wednesdays it sits from 9am to 12.30pm, and from 2.30pm to 6.30pm. On Tuesday and Thursday MPs sit from 2.30pm to 6.30pm. Proposing the drastic measures CIOC chairman Mohamed Abdikadir said this could change if Parliament and the House Business Committee agreed to stretch the sitting hours to accommodate the urgency of passing pending Bills by August 27.financial cost. These changes will come with a financial cost because an MP earns Sh5,000 for attending every plenary sitting, with morning and afternoon sessions treated separately. On average, a Bill takes about three weeks from the date of publication to adoption or rejection by Parliament, but the House can pass a resolution to shorten the period. Under Article 261 of the Constitution Parliament can, through a two-thirds majority vote, extend implementation timetables for any proposed law, but only once and for a maximum period of a year and in extreme circumstances as certified by the Speaker. CIC and other institutions are accused of delaying laws that will be important for preparation of the next General Election, police reforms, public finance, devolution and dual citizenship without just cause. Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo has often accused Parliament of failing to pass laws to implement the Constitution, with CIC in turn accusing him and the House of altering Bills when they are brought to Parliament. - The Standard. Mr. Abraham Mwaura of Kenya High Commission London has lost his brother back in Kenya on Monday 1st August, 2011. Keep him in prayers
Who is a good wife? She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Girl's power as three ladies graduates in Luton
On Sat 23rd July Tripple Em Foods Luton hosted three beautiful ladies Janepher (Luton - left), Kui (Milton Keynes - centre) and Maggie (Hemel - right) as they celebrated their Triple joint Graduation celebration graced by their parents and loads of family and friends. Many Kenyan's and generally Africans have graduated recently showing that we are moving forward.
Meet David Kamau British Railway Network Rail Project Manager A short film for the London Olympics for the last 13 years. David Kamau have been working in the British railway Infrastructure as Liaison Manager and most of all the projects. He has been involved with the key transportation hubs during the coming London 2012 Olympics. Currently he is the Network Rail Project Manager delivering the Stratford Regional Station Upgrade works. - VIDEO
LUCK POLICEMAN ON M25
A policeman was flung into the air by a criminal driving a stolen car - then immediately got up and chased the offender on foot. PC Dan Pascoe, of Surrey Police, used his Taser stun gun to stop Lee Adamson escaping before the officer collapsed from his injuries. Police had set up a road block on a slip road of the M25 at junction 11, near Chertsey in Surrey, to stop the stolen vehicle. Video footage shows the officer being thrown violently to the ground after his police car was rammed by a blue BMW driven by Adamson on July 3. Adamson, 29, from Hayes, west London, was jailed for 23 months at Guildford Crown Court on Friday. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and resisting arrest. Insp Chris Colley, of Surrey Police, said: "Thankfully Pc Pascoe only sustained minor injuries." - VIDEO
CIOC vows to beat implementation deadline
"The August 26th deadline for the passage of key constitutional bills will be met through all means". This is the assurance by the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) and Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo as the country looks forward to celebrating the Constitution's first anniversary in three weeks time. And Parliament is supposed to debate and pass 19 key constitutional Bills within this three weeks timeframe. These are the Bills supposed to be enacted within one year of the promulgation of the new Constitution, either on or before the 27th of August this year. With four of the Bills already tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, there are 15 more Bills to go, which have not yet been published. Seven of these are with either the Attorney General or at the cabinet stage, five with the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) and three more Bills have not yet received by CIC from line Ministries. It is a worrying situation which might force Parliament to burn the midnight oil working overtime if the 26th deadline is to be met. The CIOC will be meeting all the stakeholders in the implementation process to deliberate on the way forward in fast tracking the Bills. CIC vs Cabinet wars This rush comes amidst a war of words between Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo and the CIC after the latter accused cabinet of altering bills without consulting them. Kilonzo hit out at the CIC following their allegations that the cabinet is altering bills drafted by the commission. Mutula says the cabinet is a recognized institution of governance that is not subordinate to any organization and hence its recommendations should be incorporated in the bills. These remarks by Kilonzo are set to step up the war of words between him and the CIC, after the latter accused cabinet of altering bills without consulting them. While the commission insists it is unconstitutional to do so, Mutula says only the Supreme Court can judge the legality of the same, adding that Cabinet has a role to scrutinize bills as presented by the Attorney General and amend them. Mutula says his Ministry is waiting for the commission to complete the drafting of the Elections bill so that it can be perused by cabinet. He expressed confidence that Parliament is on course to meet the August 26th timeline in passing bills that are already before the house. The Justice Minister said a meeting to scrutinize the Corruption Ethics Law, the Police Reform Bills among others is slated for this Thursday, adding that he will ask Parliament to extend its sitting to ensure they are on course.
Hollywood's highest-paid actor revealed
The latest list of Hollywood's top paid actors has seen Leonardo DiCaprio take the top spot from Johnny Depp. It's the first time the 'Titanic' star has topped the Forbes Magazine list, with his £47.3m earnings coming from the double successes of 'Inception' and 'Shutter Island'. The films took a combined gross of £676m at the global box-office. The previous chart-topper, Johnny Depp, slides down a place but still manages a healthy pay-cheque of £30.7m. Although the two films Depp made were profitable, 'The Tourist' failed with the critics and was a smaller production overall than the films DiCaprio starred in. The same can't be said about 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' which should see Depp fighting for the top spot again next time around.
THEME: PROPHETIC SUMMIT CONFERENCE
Ocampo: "Ruto, Kosgey, Sang have a case to answer"
The International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo has released damning evidence against three of the Ocampo six that he wishes to present before the court for their participation in the post election violence. The 38-page document dubbed Document Containing the Charges (DCC) from Ocampo released to the public outlines evidence that the prosecution team has gathered against Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and radio journalist Joshua arap Sang. The document outlines the events that led to the eruption of the post election violence in Kenya from the 30th of December 2007 through to the 31st of January, and goes further to give an account of the involvement of the three in the violence. According to the DCC "the crimes alleged occurred in the context of a widespread or systematic attack against members of the civilian population, within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the Statute." "The direct perpetrators implemented the Network's policy of attacking the PNU supporters to punish and permanently expel them from the Rift Valley by systematically inflicting fear, killing, looting, burning or otherwise destroying their property. Their express purpose was to force PNU supporters from the Rift Valley using whatever means necessary, including the commission of crimes." The document hence alleges that Ruto, Kosgey and Sang knew that their conduct was part of, or intended for their conduct to be part of a widespread or systematic attack. On the organizational policy of the Network, the prosecutor alleges that it was two fold. Ocampo describes that it was first to punish and expel from the Rift Valley those perceived to support PNU, namely, Kikuyu, Kamba and Kisii civilians; and second to gain power and create a uniform ODM voting block. On the leadership, structure, and functioning of the Network, the DCC outlines that by 2007, Ruto was the head of a multifaceted Network that attacked PNU supporters and expelled them from the Rift Valley. The Network included political, media, financial, tribal and military components. It further outlines that Ruto and Kosgey, together with Sang and others, capitalized on existing structures and roles in Kalenjin society to create a Network with the criminal purpose of expelling PNU supporters5 from the Rift Valley by inflicting fear, killing them and systematically destroying their property, leaving them with no alternative but to flee. Among the key incidents highlighted in the DCC include Turbo Town in Uasin Gishu District, the greater Eldoret area, Kiambaa Church, Kapsabet Town in Nandi District and Nandi Hills Town. Ocampo's document alleges that Ruto and Kosgey are individually criminally responsible, pursuant to Article 25(3)(a) of the Statute, for crimes against humanity as defined in Article 7 of the Statute. They are also said to bear responsibility as co-perpetrators includes crimes carried out by the Network's subordinates and direct perpetrators. On the part of radio journalist Sang, the Prosecutor alleges he is individually criminally responsible pursuant to Article 25(3)(d) of the Statute for crimes against humanity as defined in Article 7 of the Statute. "Sang's responsibility includes crimes carried out by a group of persons acting with a common purpose. Sang contributed to the commission of the alleged crimes by the Network's direct perpetrators," the DCC states. The charges that the ICC's prosecution team has prescribed against the three include murder, deportation or forcible transfer of population and persecution all constituting crimes against humanity. Ocampo's evidence release comes barely a week after the Appeals Chamber of the ICC ruled against the Kenyan government's appeal to have the cases tried locally claiming investigations into the six suspects had already begun.
Senior Republicans went through tough negotiations with the White House and their own party
WOMEN'S MEETING WITH REV. RUTH MUNGAI
There will be a heart to heart women's meeting with Rev. Ruth Mungai from Nakuru, Kenya at CCBC Swahili Service on Saturday 6th August, 2011 as from 11.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. at Greatfield Hall, King Edward Road, Barking, IG11 7TR. All are invited. For more information please contact 07947965519 or Rev. Ruth Mungai on 07413946408.
A Kenyan lady has passed away in USA
A Kenyan lady has passed away in Indiana, USA. The late Caroline Mukuha, 37, passed away Thursday July 28th 2011 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana, U.S.A. She was born on April 28th 1974 in Nairobi, Kenya to Salome Wanjiru and Francis Mukuha Kiarie. She was preceded in death by her brother Kiarie. She is survived by her son Elisha Mukuha, parents Salome and Francis Mukuha Kiarie, sisters Sylvia, Catherine (Gerald) and Winnie. Nieces and nephews Cynthia, Brian, Malick and Hope all of Kenya, Cousins and friends in South Bend, Atlanta and Kenya. She attended School in Kenya and Worked with United Disabled Persons of Kenya (U.D.P.U) a branch of United Nations- before relocating to the United States. She attended Ivy Tech Community College, South Bend nursing Program and graduated with her Practical Nursing in 2005 and Registered Nursing in 2009. She worked at Anthony Wayne Services and Several Nursing Homes both in Indiana and Texas. She recently worked at Maxim Healthcare, Mishawaka. There will be a memorial Service on Sunday Aug 7th 2011 at 3pm at Palmer Funeral Home, South Bend, Indiana, U.S.A. She will later be flown to Kenya for her final resting place. For more information contact George Irungu on 001 574 387 7653 or ndonyero@sbcglobal.net
US House of Representatives passes debt-limit bill
The US House of Representatives has passed by 269 votes to 161 a last-gasp deal to avoid a federal debt default. The bill is expected to be approved by the Senate and signed into law by President Barack Obama on Tuesday. It raises the debt limit by up to $2.4tn (£1.5tn) from $14.3tn, and makes savings of at least $2.1tn in 10 years. There were cheers as Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head in Tucson in January, made her first appearance on Capitol Hill. Ms Giffords, who moved through the chamber with minimal assistance from an aide, blew kisses and said: "Thank you, thank you." After months of bitterly partisan deadlock, House Republican and Democratic leaders swung behind the bill on Monday, ratifying a deal sealed the night before with a phone call from House Speaker John Boehner to President Obama. House Democrats were evenly split on the legislation - 95 for and 95 against - while 174 Republicans voted for the measure and 66 opposed it. Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid said the upper chamber would vote on the deal at 12:00 local time (16:00 GMT) on Tuesday. That vote will take place barely 12 hours before Washington is due - according to the US treasury department - to become unable to meet all its bills. Jersey lawyer flies in Kenya over Okemo case
The solicitor-general of Jersey Island is in Kenya to push for the extradition of Nambale MP Chris Okemo and former Kenya Power managing director Samuel Gichuru to face corruption charges. Mr Howard Sharp arrived on Sunday night to follow up on the request to have Mr Okemo and Mr Gichuru extradited to the English Channel isle to face charges of receiving up to Sh900 million in bribes from companies eyeing contracts in the energy sector. “I can confirm that the solicitor-general of Jersey Island Howard Sharp is in the country in connection with the extradition case of Mr Okemo and Mr Gichuru,” said an official at the UK High Commission in Nairobi, Mr John Bradshaw. He declined to give more information on the visit citing legal issues. Public Prosecutions director Keriako Tobiko denied knowledge that a delegation from Jersey Island was in the country to follow up on the case. “My office is not aware. I don’t know where that information is coming from,” he said. Initial reports had indicated that the delegation would be led by Attorney General Le Cocq and Mr Sharp, but Mr Bradshaw confirmed that only the solicitor-general was in the country. The reports had indicated that the delegation had scheduled appointments with officials at the DPP’s office and the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission. Jersey authorities say the money was paid into accounts held by a firm known as Windward Trading. British detectives say Mr Gichuru owns the firm while Mr Okemo worked with Mr Gichuru on the fraud while he headed the Energy and Finance ministries. - Daily Nation.
"The First Grader" directed by Justin Chadwick-Cine Politics
Good film. Once your nation refuses to educate its younger generation it’s finished. In the case of African countries, many have never cared about literacy outside their ruling gov’ts. Even Idi Amin was functionally illiterate when he came to power--and he was a bright man. People who can’t read can’t grow, can’t come to new levels of understanding as they can’t study anything closely--they become easily duped. - VIDEO
WORD OF TODAY
Jeremiah 29:11You have a Destiny For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future We’re all encouraged by a leader who stirs us to move ahead, someone who believes we can do the task he has given and who will be with us all the way. God is that kind of leader. He knows the future, and his plans for us are good and full of hope. As long as God knows the future, provides our agenda and He goes with us as we fulfil his mission. This does not mean that we will be spared from pain, suffering or hardship, but that God will see us through to a glorious conclusion. Whatever you’re going through take heart and know that ever thing with a beginning has an end.
Our Guest Singer Today is Mr. Joseph Muruaru from Maziwa Estate, Nairobi - CLICK HERE
This is the whole truth about Kenya politics
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Kenya’s foreign policy framework to be realigned says Kibaki
President Mwai Kibaki in a group photo with Kenyan Ambassadors and High Commissioners during their 16th Biennial conference at the Leisure Lodge in Kwale County Kenya's foreign policy must be realigned to capture the ideals, aspirations and objectives of the new Constitution, President Mwai Kibaki has said. President Kibaki emphasized that with the new Constitution now in place, the country's foreign policy framework must be designed to be in tandem with the emerging realities. "Under the new Constitution, for example, functions such as international trade have been placed side by side with the foreign policy function. This means you will now have to give more prominence to foreign trade promotion," President Kibaki said. The President made the remarks Monday when he officially opened the16th Biennial Conference of Ambassadors and High Commissioners at the Leisure Lodge Resort in Msambweni District. The Head of State told the envoys to bear in mind that one of the key pillars of foreign policy is economic diplomacy and urged them to give particular attention to this pillar. He pointed out that it is through promoting the country's economic interests in the international arena that Kenya shall achieve her economic goals as outlined in VISION 2030. In order to advance Kenya's economic relations, President Kibaki stressed the importance of strong public-private partnerships in tackling the current challenges facing the country. National interests Noting that public-private partnerships are viewed as the appropriate model for strengthening the collaboration between the Government and its citizens for their common benefit, President Kibaki said the envoys play an important role in their respective countries of accreditation. Said President Kibaki: "As our envoys, you have an important part to play in your countries of accreditation, in terms of seeking business, trade and investment opportunities, as well as sourcing new markets for our products and expanding existing ones," President Kibaki said. "The private sector, on the other hand, provides the expertise for the day to day trade, investment and other commercial linkages with their counterparts abroad," he added. In this regard, the President pointed out that the conference provided an ideal opportunity for exchanging ideas pertaining to Kenya's national interests in the global arena and hailed the event's theme how to ‘Project Kenya's Foreign Policy under the new Constitutional Dispensation'. He expressed hope that deliberations during the conference would lead to the development of a proactive foreign policy that will promote Kenya's national interests and put the country in its rightful place as a leader amongst the community of nations." On infrastructure development, President Kibaki said the construction of the Lamu Port-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor, which is expected to open up large sections of the country which previously received little attention, is one of the most important investment under VISION 2030. "I urge you to focus some energies on promoting investment in this project in your respective areas of accreditation, as it is expected to play a major role in catalyzing Kenya's progress towards the achievement of the economic and social goals envisaged in VISION TWENTY THIRTY," President Kibaki said. Foreign citizenship During the occasion the Head of State called on the diplomats to actively engage other participants at the conference drawn from the Kenya Private Sector Alliance and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers on how to intensify interaction with the private sector. He affirmed that such engagements would promote a collaborative and effective partnership that would increase economic relations between Kenya and her bilateral partners to the benefit of Kenyans. With regard to the dual citizenship, the Head of State told the envoys to enlighten Kenyans on this important development and to urge all citizens who gave up their citizenship in order to secure their livelihoods, to carry on contributing to building their country through increased investments and financial remittances. "Another important aspect of your work is dealing with Kenyans in the diaspora, many of whom gave up their Kenyan citizenship due to the need to secure their livelihoods in their countries of residence. With dual citizenship now approved under the new Constitution, Kenyans in the diaspora can safeguard their foreign citizenship status and still remain Kenyans," the Head of State declared. With regard to regional peace and security, President Kibaki observed that Kenya has played a significant role in mediating the peace processes in both the former Sudan and Somalia but asked the participants in the forum to discuss ways of entrenching and enhancing the peace dividend in the Horn of Africa region. In this connection, President Kibaki said Kenya will continue to play a key role in the East African Community affairs, adding that the country's political and economic destiny is strongly tied to the Community which is set to expand with the inclusion of South Sudan and Ethiopia. The President observed, "In spite of the progress made with regard to Sudan, major challenges still remain in the search for durable peace and stability in Somalia." "In the wider Eastern and Central African region, Kenya has taken part in the discussions focusing on sharing of the resources of the River Nile together with other riparian states. The conflict areas and possible solutions to them are critical issues that you should deliberate in light of the vital importance of water as a resource, given our classification as a water-deficit nation," the Head of State added. He challenged the participants to spend crucial time exchanging ideas on the opportunities and challenges facing the country with regard to regional integration and to find ways of deepening the process. Missions abroad Speaking during the occasion acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the ministry will continue to strengthen its capacity and capabilities both at the Headquarters and in its missions abroad to effectively respond to the changing world through tailored programmes at the Foreign Service Institute. "The large number of Kenyans who now live overseas and the equally large number of our nationals who travel overseas everyday has made the work of our missions even more demanding," Prof. Saitoti said. Noting that Kenya's missions abroad are the main link to the world, Prof. Saitoti underscored the need for the envoys to uniformly project the country and its leadership as united behind a common vision and programme to deliver a better life for all Kenyans. Other speakers included Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister Richard Onyonka and Acting Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Amb. Patrick Wamoto. During the occasion, President Kibaki received a donation of Kshs 1.2 million from the envoys and senior Foreign Affairs Ministry officials including the acting Foreign Affairs Minister towards the Government's efforts to assist those affected by drought and famine. Also present during function were Ministers Chirau Ali Mwakwere, Beth Mugo, and Parliamentary Defence and Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Adan Keynan. Italy finds 25 dead on Libya refugee boat
The Italian coast guard found 25 dead bodies in the engine room of a refugee boat fleeing Libya with 271 people crammed on board that arrived on the holiday island of Lampedusa Monday, port officials said. "It's 25 bodies of men, presumed to be from sub-Saharan Africa," Antonio Morana, the commander of Lampedusa port, said on news channel SkyTG24. "The cause of death is still being investigated," he said. Morana said refugees on board had said they left Libya three days ago. Prosecutors, who have opened an inquiry, said the men appear to have choked to death in the heavily overcrowded boat, which was intercepted by coast guards in Italian waters late Sunday. "We will carry out an autopsy to find the precise cause of death even though initial checks show that it was apparently due to asphyxiation," said a local prosecutor, Renato Di Natale. The refugees did not mention the dead bodies and the macabre discovery happened only when officers made a final inspection of the boat after transferring the refugees onto a coast guard vessel one mile from the coast. Coast guards had been about to abandon the broken-down refugee boat. The refugees who died were in an engine room accessible only through a 50-centimetre (20-inch) wide trap door, and were removed by firemen. The 271 refugees found alive included 36 women and 21 children. Thousands of refugees fleeing Libya, mostly migrant workers from other parts of Africa, have arrived on tiny Lampedusa in recent weeks. Hundreds drowned in a series of accidents in stormy seas. The vessels used for crossings from Libya are often rickety fishing boats. The journey from North Africa to Italian shores usually takes around two days. Lampedusa, which has a surface area of just 20 square kilometres, is Italy's southernmost point and is closer to North Africa than to the Italian mainland. It is now the biggest gateway for illegal immigration into the European Union following the arrival of tens of thousands of Tunisian migrants this year. The almost daily arrivals of refugees from Libya and migrants from Tunisia seen in spring have slowed in recent weeks, with only occasional landings. Scenes of desperation and chaos seen earlier this year have hit the pristine island's tourism industry but there are already many holidaymakers on the beaches for the high season and there is a summer film festival underway.
Obama announces US deficit deal between party leaders
US President Barack Obama says Republican and Democratic leaders have reached an agreement on raising the US debt limit and avoiding default. Under the proposed deal, the US debt ceiling would rise by up to $2.4bn. In return, Congress has committed to reducing the deficit by a similar amount over 10 years, and a special bipartisan committee will be set up to agree cuts. Congress has to approve the deal. Votes in both houses are expected on Monday. The BBC's Jane O'Brien says the package is still likely to be a tough sell, with some Republicans and Democrats in the House of Representatives remaining opposed to different aspects. Shares up The US faces a Tuesday deadline to raise its $14.3tn (£8.7tn) debt limit or risk the first default in its history, a possibility that has spread mounting unease through markets. The US president said it was not the deal he would have preferred, but noted that the compromise plan would make a "serious downpayment" on the US deficit. "I want to announce that the leaders of both parties in both chambers have reached an agreement that will reduce the deficit and avoid default, a default that would have had a devastating effect on our economy," Mr Obama said. Democrats and Republicans in Washington have been deadlocked over finding a way to cut spending and raise the debt limit as the Tuesday deadline approached. The US limits by law the total amount of debt its government can run, and the Obama administration has been under mounting pressure over how it would continue to pay bills and costs like salaries if the limit was reached. In Tokyo, shares rose 1.7% after Mr Obama's announcement, and the dollar rose briefly above 78 yen from 76.7 yen on Friday. Hong Kong shares were set to open 1.3% higher. "We welcome the US debt deal and hopefully this will stabilise markets," Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said.
Mount Etna volcanic eruption lights up Sicilian night
Mount Etna volcano on Sicily, in southern Italy, started erupting again at the weekend, sending flames and sparks shooting 250 metres into the air, and flows of lava down its slopes. There were concerns that the ash could block flights out of nearby Catania airport, but the winds were blowing the ash away from the airport east towards the Ionian Sea and no flights had been cancelled or delayed. - VIDEO Africa summit for Somali famine
The African Union has announced it is to hold a summit meeting to pledge help for the victims of Somalia's drought. The statement comes after considerable criticism in the African media of the failure of the continent's leaders to help famine victims across the Horn of Africa. The AU said the pledging conference would bring together heads of state and international donors. The United Nations says the famine is spreading across southern Somalia.The African Union statement was made by its deputy chairman, Erasmus Mwencha, during a visit to the AU peacekeeping mission in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
He's a granddad at 29, she's a granny at 30 (and the child's mother is only 14): The baby with Britain's youngest grandparents
Happy family: Jordan, bottom left, with Tia and Gracie, and proud grandparents Shem and Kelly
An unemployed man, 29, has become one of Britain's youngest grandparents after his daughter gave birth at 14. Shem Davies and his former girlfriend Kelly John, 30, were overjoyed when their daughter Tia, who was born when her parents were 15, gave birth to little Gracie earlier this month. Tia's boyfriend, Jordan Williams, is 15. Shem said: 'It is an absolute joy to see Gracie thriving. I'm incredibly proud of Tia. She'll be a brilliant mum. At first I wasn't overly pleased that she was pregnant but I soon got over than. Now it's all about being positive. I've got to know Jordan and he's shaping up to be a decent young man,' Shem told The People. However, nurses at the maternity unit were left embarrassed after they thought the young grandfather was in fact the teenage father of Gracie. Apparently when he entered the ward they thought the 29-year-old looked so fresh-faced they asked him to prove he was over the age of 16. But the arrival of Gracie wasn't easy as Tia was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, seven weeks before her due date.
Proud parents: Jordan and Tia with their newborn daughter Gracie who was born prematurely Worried doctors decided their best option would be to deliver the tot by Caesarean section. The condition, which often leaves expectant mothers with high blood pressure and protein in their urine, could lead to life-threatening symptoms for both mother and baby. Tia said the contrast between the carefree fun of the school playground and then the fear of death for her and the baby was something she would never forget. Happily after a 25 minute operation Gracie was born but only weighed 2lb and was rushed to the special care unit at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, which is close to the family home. Little Gracie is still being kept in an incubator but has managed to put on enough weight which means she will be allowed home in a few weeks. A week after Gracie was born Tia celebrated her 15th birthday in the ward surrounded by friends and family. The teenager, who has been dating Jordan for 18 months and wants to be a hairdresser, said she didn't plan on celebrating her birthday in hospital but added that her baby daughter was the best present she could ask for.
Father and daughter: Shem with his daughter Tia and granddaughter Gracie Once mother and daughter have been released from hospital they will be staying with grandmother Kelly so that Tia can finish school. Grandad Shem, who has a young son of his own, said he is keen to get stuck in and help Tia and Jordan settle into life. Jordan, who sat his final GCSE just weeks before Gracie arrived, said he understands responsibility. 'I'm captain of the school rugby team and that's like having 14 kids.' Despite her young age, mother Tia says that she would not be happy if newborn Gracie became pregnant at 14 but that she would do as her mum did, which is respect her choice to have a child. She also paid tribute to her mother, who was 15 when she was born, saying that she could not have wished for a better parent and role model adding that they have a very close relationship. Britain's high teenage pregnancy rate means that many more young people in this generation are set to become grandparents in their late twenties and early thirties. The latest figures show in 2009 38,259 girls under 18 became pregnant, but nearly 50 per cent had a termination. The UK still leads the way when it comes to young mothers, and our rate is five-times higher than in the Netherlands and twice that of France and Spain. Casefiles - She killed at the age of 11
She killed at the age of 11. She says she did it at the bidding of a man twice her age. Tonight on 'CASEFILES' Dennis Onsarigo brings you the shocking story of a child abuse victim who confesses she murdered her own brother to keep her abusive relationship with an older man. - SHOCKING VIDEO
Royal Wedding - outfits
The Queen arrives in a coral outfit for the wedding of her eldest granddaughter, Zara Phillips and centre Princess Beatrice wearing a matching aqua blue outfit and hat. On right Actress Katherine Kelly arrives for the Royal wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall in a dusty pink dress, orange hat and orange bag.
How Obama father’s dream was ruined by Nairobi’s happy hour and ethnicity
Ruth tried half-heartedly to turn him away. But Obama charmed her with an onslaught of entreaties. He loved her to the core of his being. He adored their son and had yearned for them every day they had been gone. If she would only return with him, he vowed that everything would be different. He would never pursue another woman again. He would not even look at another woman, he insisted. What’s more, he had already lined up a new job. Starting in October Obama was to be the senior development officer for the newly created Kenya Tourist Development Corporation (KTDC), a high-profile government corporation charged with overseeing the blossoming industry and directing public investment in a spate of new hotels and parks. As the second highest-ranking employee in the organisation, Obama was to receive a handsome annual salary of 2,275 pounds. It was a plum job that put Obama squarely in the league of the government’s other ranking economists and at the forefront of an industry to which Mzee, the Swahili term of respect for an elder, Kenyatta himself was closely attuned. It was not a permanent secretary’s post like Philip Ndegwa had landed or even the top job at the KTDC, but it was a good job nonetheless. And it gave him a much-needed chance to rehabilitate himself. Adding to Obama’s bounty, the job came with a lovely home in the exclusive Woodley Estate west of the city’s center, a neighbourhood that the Nairobi City Council developed expressly for Europeans in the late 1940s. - FULL STORY
Govt. steps up relief efforts to Nothern Kenya
In less than 16 hours relief food will be landing in Northern Kenya to alleviate the hunger situation brought about by the worst drought recorded in over 60 years. Special Programs Minister Esther Murugi has flagged off more than 10 military lorries loaded with rice, beans and maize headed for Garissa for distribution by the military. Faces riddled with the pain of hunger have caused a nationwide uproar in the past week, prompting Kenyans to undertake frantic measures to save the dying brethren. The situation has also put the government to shame with many pointing accusing fingers and blaming it for failing to protect its citizenry rights such as the basic right to food. And with a figure of about 4.5 starving people, it is with urgency that the government has responded and currently military trucks loaded with food are heading to Garissa. The National Cereals and Produce Board depot in Embakasi was a flurry of activity as the trucks were loaded with 80 tonnes of rice and 100 tonnes of maize and beans for dispatch. The magnitude of the situation has seen the military is also officially out of the barracks and has been tasked with distributing the relief food starting from the worst hit areas. According to Murugi, special preference will be given to the children most of who are suffering from malnutrition. A ship loaded with more relief food from Germany is expected to dock at the port tomorrow. This year's drought situation goes down in history as the worst of its kind and has been aggravated further by the influx of refugees from Somali prompting the government to appeal for international aid.
WORD OF TODAY
Galatians 6:1-10Doing good to all No Christians should ever think that he or she is totally independent and doesn’t needs help from others. No one should feel excused from the task of helping others. In the body of Christ - the church functions only when the members work together in unity for the common good. Do you know someone who needs help? Is there a Christian brother or sister who need correction or encouragement? Humbly and gently reach out to that person , offering to lift his or her load (John13:34,35).
Our Guest Singer Today is Emmy Kosgei - Kalenjin Lady from the Rift Valley- Taunet Nelel - CLICK HERE
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