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The ICC has also quietly taken several witnesses out of the country in the last few months ahead of the trials that are expected to rock Kenya's political scene and which many Kenyans hope will serve to end the culture of impunity entrenched in the nation’s politics. The Sunday Nation has established details of the months-long effort to gather evidence behind the scenes, a process that began almost as soon as former United Nations chief Kofi Annan arrived in Kenya in early 2008 to mediate an end to the post-election violence.  Mr Annan is expected to return to Nairobi on Sunday to further pressure Kenyan leaders to speed up the pace of reforms, a key pillar of which is the trial of those who bear the greatest responsibility for the violence which claimed more than 1,300 lives.  A source familiar with the investigations said that while the entire nation’s attention was focused on the negotiations over political power-sharing at the Serena Hotel in 2008, several teams of local and foreign investigators were dispatched to gather evidence in the areas worst-hit by the violence.

International Criminal Court prosecutors have compiled a damaging report on at least four top Kenyan officials, including Cabinet ministers, who could face charges of crimes against humanity by the end of the year.

Among the teams was a delegation from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights that arrived in Kenya last February. Representatives of the Special Rapporteur on the Prevention of Genocide and another team sent by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights interviewed survivors, families of victims and members of government and the opposition. The outcome was what one international analyst described as a “wheelbarrow-load of evidence”. “Kenyan politicians assumed it would be business as usual and concentrated on negotiating for power,” said the source, who cannot be named because of the sensitivity of the matter. “They did not know that some in the international community had decided it was time to end the culture of impunity and were busy gathering hard evidence.”

The evidence they collected helped lay the groundwork for a separate ICC investigation into the involvement of a number of senior members of Cabinet and some heads of state security agencies. The Sunday Nation established that the focus of the investigations has now narrowed to at least three Cabinet ministers and one state security official against whom the Office of the Prosecutor feels it has enough evidence to sustain a case. Among the four is a Cabinet minister from Rift Valley province who has been particularly vocal in calling for truth and reconciliation as opposed to trials of masterminds of violence. He is said to have declared that only “Indians and Kalenjins” would own businesses in his home town following the presidential election results, coded language that was read as calling for the eviction from the area of people from other communities.  The same politician is said to have distributed money to about 300 youths who committed atrocities as well as organised transport for the militia together with two other MPs from the region who have since died. Another Cabinet minister on the list of four is a senior member of the PNU coalition. He is said to have chaired a meeting at State House, Nairobi, where he organised members of the outlawed Mungiki sect to carry out revenge attacks in Naivasha.

The same politician or his associates are said to have requested a senior Office of the President official then serving in the National Security ministry to distribute guns to the outlawed sect to carry out the carnage. The request was, however, turned down. A senior official of a state security agency said to have carried out indiscriminate killings has also been named as one of those who have been the focus of investigations as has another minister from the Rift Valley. KNHRC vice-chair Hassan Omar declined to be drawn on what ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo told a delegation of civil society activists who met him recently at The Hague. But Mr Hassan praised the ICC’s determination to act: - Daily Nation.

"Thanking all those who turned up for a good course"

Mrs. Anne Chege of New Hope Orphan Children's Home in Kenya would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who supported her while on a trip in UK. Her special thanks goes to all those who contributed during her fundraising in London on 27th September, 2009. Not forgetting the guests of honours and Mr. Seed for the day. A substantial amount of money was raised during that day and many other people have sent their donations through the account. Mrs. Chege concluded her one month tour of the UK on Monday 5th October, 2009 and left of USA where she will be for the next one month. Her contact in the USA is 001-205 401 1788 or newhopechildren@mail.com

Fears rise of BA dispute as airline announces 1,700 job cuts

British Airways has announced plans to cut 1,700 cabin crew jobs and impose a two-year pay freeze, triggering fears that the airline could trigger industrial action from its trade unions.

The cuts were announced by the carrier without agreement from Unite, the union representing 14,000 cabin staff, despite months of talks between both sides. Union sources said that the airline's move meant that both sides were on a "collision course", even though there are no immediate plans for a strike ballot. BA, which lost £401 million in the last financial year, said drastic action was necessary given the crisis facing the aviation industry. British Airways is currently not profitable and we expect to record a significant loss for the second consecutive year - the first time that has happened in our history. "Revenues are down, so we must reduce costs to restore profitability. Thousands of staff across the airline have already made contributions to the cost-reduction programme," an airline spokesman said. "We have been talking to the cabin crew unions since the start of the year, but have made little progress on the contribution they might make. "We have extremely professional cabin crew. However, we cannot ignore the fact that our Heathrow-based cabin crew costs are much higher than those of our Gatwick-based crew and of our competitors."

According to BA the job cuts announced by the company would enable 1,000 voluntary redundancies to take place as well as making it possible for 300 more staff to switch to part-time working. The changes will reduce BAS's cabin crew from 14,000 to 12,300. It is understood that Unite will urge its members to reject the new contract which, the union says, has been imposed on members without consultation. In addition to cabin crew cuts, BA is also looking to its staff on the ground to offer further savings. Their union representative, Mick Rix, of the GMB said that the 7,000 members be represents would not accept a similar attempt by the company to impose cuts on them. "I think this brings us a step closer to industrial action," he said. A British Airways spokesman said: "We have received no formal or informal communication from the trade unions indicating industrial action in the coming months and any such talk is premature and speculative. "All of our flights are operating normally and it is very much business as usual."

Marsabit is one of the worst hit area by drought

Kenya Red Cross society is spending over 4 million shillings to save livestock as well as feeding families in larger Marsabit. A trip over the weekend was shocking but under control. Hungry children and very poor families. This is because of the prolonged drought being experienced in the country. Destocking is buying the animals, then slaughter them and finally give the meat to the same community. This happens three days a week until the rain comes. Each animal is being bought for KShs. 1,000. On the back we had lunch at Merille a small town on Marsabit/ Isiolo road and hunger stricken goats jumped on our table and started to eat meat. This shows how serious the situation is. - Photo and story by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi, Kenya.

Our Children and academic performance

Just look at a very recent data. For this reason we must aim higher.

GCSE results by ethnic group and region (Times Online October 30, 2008)

GCSE results for 2006/07 indicate that 49 per cent of mixed-race pupils from the North East gained five good GCSEs with English and Maths compared to 42 per cent of white pupils living in the same area. In the South East 53.9 per cent of mixed race pupils reached the benchmark compared with just 49.5 per cent of white children.

More than a third of teenagers sitting GCSEs in 2006/07 failed to gain five good grades in any subject. Black pupils living in the South West of the country came out bottom of the GCSE results pile with just 26.1 per cent obtaining five good grades including English and Maths.

But students of Chinese origin living in the South East did the best with 77.8 per cent reaching the Governments benchmark. Across the board pupils of Asian origin performed the best with 48.1 per cent of those in England gaining five good grades including in English and Maths.

Ethnic Group Percentage Achieving 5 A* to C including English and Maths
Asian 48.1
White 46.0
Mixed 44.0
Chinese 42.4
Black 37.0
 
What is your influence on your childs performance -by Peter Wangaruro

I have been talking to the Kenyan community about the performance of our children, the black kids. It is unfortunate that some people think otherwise even when the data vividly indicates the meager performance. The 37% shown above does not represent Kenyan pupils; it involves all pupils from Africans, Caribbean, Bangladesh etc. We cannot say that all the Kenyan kids are not performing, but this should worry any visionary parent who has a child in school. The data above was 2008 and likely in 2009 results there were probably some improvements but are not sure if it changed the above order. Parents who have children at the primary school level please get to understand what is going on with your child. Understand the level at which he is working at and get to know what else you can do to help your child. Remember the data will be transferable from primary to secondary. If you think that your child will wake up when at secondary level then you are just living a lie.

Just look around in your neighborhood or church and check how many of young adults progress to A- levels and then the university. If you find many then that is good and encouraging but check how many of those at the universities are at the top UK universities. Do not stop checking how many of all those attending universities are ambitious and pursuing well paying career building courses. I know very well that people can make careers from anything if they are that brainy, but how many of us are? Is it not unfortunate that our youngsters are opting for cheaper courses where they will do less of challenging units? Is it not true that we are likely to have influenced them through cheap talk that we engage in as far as education is concerned or lack of career guidance has taken its toll? What do you say when you talk about your school days when talking to friends or family members? Do you feel proud that you were a negative star or a positive star? Do you portray education as not important just because you are making some good money? Maddoff was a billionaire through dubious methods; he lost it in one day and landed in prison. Goodness me with good education it is certain, nobody can imprison the value of your brain unless yourself.
 
If for instance you failed in your secondary school GCSE/KCSE or if your behavior was not desirable, do you ever feel remorseful that you failed and misbehaved or do you laugh and fill the atmosphere with your Character euphoria? Your hard spirit still refreshes in you with excitement without making an apology that you wasted an opportunity. If at all you caught up later and progressed with your career, it would be good to let the youngsters know that you would have moved faster and higher had you not wasted the precious opportunity. We have to teach positive things to the youngsters from anything that has happened to us whether positive or negative.
 
Those of you who have succeeded through hard work there is a temptation to feel as though your success is transferable to your children. This school of thought would be disastrous as it is not true. Let your children succeed on their own merit. Make life easier for them but let them not miss to become the person their potential can allow. Is it possible that we have the youngsters who will be pursuing sciences and become Doctors, Pharmacists, Engineers, Pilots, Researchers, Educators, Accountants, and so on? With all due respect we also need people qualified in the other disciplines. Ensure that this motivation begin right from when the child is born. Let no body including yourself tells your child that he/she cannot become.

Family Rebuild has very important and affordable materials on parenting and personal development, I urge all parents to do their best to get a copy. Who knows what am saying today could be what will change your child for good. Remember equipping yourself for the task of parenting is a great investment and worthy more than silver. To order for the DVDs please call 07940105578 or write an email: familyrebuild@yahoo.co.uk.

A 10-year-old girl was raped and strangled to death at a village in Ngararirga, Limuru

Limuru, Kenya Oct 6 - A 10-year-old girl was raped and strangled to death at a village in Limuru, Ngarariga on Monday night 5th October, 2009. The body of Catherine Kihika, a standard three pupil at Manguo primary school was found dumped in a neighbour's compound, about 50 meters from their house on the Nairobi-Naivasha highway. "It was discovered at about 6am on Tuesday by a neighbour who had gone to milk her cows," the officer in charge of Tigoni Police station Joseph Kyoyo said. "It had strangulation marks and it appears she was raped," he said and added that there was evidence showing the body was dumped at the scene on Tuesday morning. As investigations got underway, four suspects - among them a form two student - were immediately arrested to assist unravel the mystery. The deceased girl's mother Lucy Nduta said she last saw her at about 4 pm when she returned home from school. "She changed her clothes and went to play outside but never came back." - CapitalFM

Swedish Woman Escapes to Germany With Kenyan’s Baby

In Germany with the baby

In one of the most shocking Kenya-Stockholm storos, it has emerged that a white Swedish woman has escaped to Germany with the one year old baby of a paperless Kenyan man after playing a complicated baby-snatching game that has stunned observers and left acquaintances grinning and scratching their heads with their fingers searching for new words to explain the crisis. The story came to light when the Swedish woman hooked up with another Kenyan man in Germany to play “Father” to the snatched kid. The Swede apparently told the new Kenyan sweet heart that the father of her kid lives in Sweden and that they had split up because of “irreconcilable differences”.

The scandal exploded when the guy contacted KSB to try and establish the identity of the father of the child whom he was about to begin fathering. He wanted to get some tips about the woman from her ex. Apparently, the new Kenyan dude hooked up by the Swede is also paperless and his hope is that the new find could be turned into a “Paper project” so he is currently playing ball although he told KSB that he is basically “a slave” in the house.

According to investigations, the woman in question hooked up with a Kenyan dude in Sweden and after well calculated sessions of “leg-opening”, she was eventually ballooned by the Kenyan. The bull is reportedly a student who had been pursuing his Masters degree at a Swedish University and when the Swedish blondie “landed on his plate” and later began to serve the goods liberally, his thinking was that it was a perfect opportunity to mix up “paper manufacture” with studies as he checked out the future here at the North pole where life appeared to be very sweet.

After the woman downloaded a bouncing baby, things began to take a nasty turn. More and more, the blondie began to abandon him in the house to baby-sit as she went clubbing in town and meeting new clientele. Since the Kenyan had incorporated baby-sitting into his mappepe manufacturing project, he played it calm and loyally began to follow the new rules which had it that the woman could decide to do anything as the boy nodded in approval.

This was apparently done with an agreement that the woman is very independent and that her freedom comes second to nothing. Although the woman also accepted to respect the guy’s freedom, she had an upper hand because she knew that inside the guy’s head was the “paper business” and she had the keys in the bag. After a few months, the woman began to carry herself around in a way that suggested that she was getting romantically disinterested in her nigger hubby as the bull sunk even deeper into baby-sitting, diaper changing and pram pushing to and from shopping baby food and other stuff on the shopping list.

His studies began to suffer but he could take it because if the “paper work” could materialize, he could resume his studies from where he quit and at any time. One day, the blondie is reported to have disclosed to the guy that her main interest in him was based on her life-time dream of mothering a kid with a blue nigger. She just loved “coloured babies” and once played with the idea of having an artificial insemination with nigger sperms. At about the same time, she met the Kenyan and decided to go for the real thing. After delivery, she reportedly hoped that she would have the interest to stick with the guy although she also threw some doubts.

In short, she was interested in the so called mulatto child or what Kenyans call “point five”. If you don’t get it, Kenyans call it ”Point five” because when a whitie articulates with a blackie and the union results in the manufacture of a “mixie”, the kid is presumed 50% black and 50% white eg 0.5% black/white thus the “point five” name also known as “pointie”. After the baby was born, the next agenda for the Swedish woman was to use the Kenyan as a baby sitter while maintaining (in the guy’s brain) the illusion of a paper linked to the baby. Once the Kenyan swallowed the bait she could have fun as life continued. The idea was to give the kid time to grow before her project could enter into a new phase.

Punde si punde, the situation began to worsen by the day. The couple was living in an apartment and, with time, the Swedish woman began to return home zonked and late in the night. One night, she crashed in with a Swedish man and they slept on the sofa as the Kenyan guy spent the night in the bed room taking care of the kid. When the guy tried to intervene to find out what was happening, the  woman simply told him to shut up and “give space”. The act of popping up with white bulls then became routine and when he tried to find out what was happening, the woman said that “this is Sweden where women have their freedom”. The guy relaxed because he understood that the road to Mappepe could be rough and bumpy.

It is at this point that the guy began to understand that he was facing a major crisis because the love affair between the two of them appeared to have melted the way ice cream melts in the mouth. The Kenyan began to understand that his baby sitting sessions may have been well planned because when he added one plus one, it was adding up to four – himself, his woman, the kid and the new Swedish bulls who appeared to have taken over the woman’s holy shrine and all the goods that went with it as he remained stuck with baby-sitting in the bed room.

Custody Papers Signed

What shocked him was the courage the woman had developed to an extent that she was comfortable with the act of bringing another man in the house even though the woman knew too well that she had left him in the house to baby-sit. A supposedly kind woman he had been licking the other day as he worked his way to greener pastures had now become a source of headache. He had no answers.

Unknown to him was the fact that the woman had much bigger plans that would leave him paperless and probably lead to his deportation back home. The woman had planned to relocate to Germany with the baby and as the guy followed the new rules hoping for better days when he could have his personal number registered at the tax office, the woman continued to further her secret plans. She wanted to move away so that she could forget about the nigger and his attachment to the baby. Once she finished sketching the outlines of her plan, she is reported to have apologized and became very friendly to her sweet heart whom she had been persecuting. She stopped behaving badly by halting the act of bringing guys to consume her goods at the sofa while she resumed serving the goods to the guy.

She also began taking care of the kid and saying sweet things linked to mappepe. The guy was told that they were meant to stick together for life and that whatever had happened had been a big mistake. She felt extremely sorry for whatever had happened and the Kenyan dude lapped all her words with interest. Then one day, the woman took him to the Swedish authorities to sign some papers. He was told that the papers were based on him confirming that he was the father of the baby before they could move to the Immigration department to do good stuff.

The guy does not understand Swedish and when he went to sign the papers, he had no clue. He was told to agree with everything the authorities said and to pretend that he understood Swedish so as not to “complicate things”. Since, (from his perspective) all events were playing themselves within the context of mappepe, he loyally allowed himself to be led by the nose. When asked questions by the authorities before signing the papers, he was coached to say “yes” or “that’s right” or “exactly” depending on the situation. He was to watch the woman secretly shaking her fingers placed on the table. One shaking finger was a “yes”, two “exactly” and three meant “that’s right”.

The official read a sentence in Swedish saying something like “You have accepted to give full custody to Birgitta Larsson…”, and when he watched the fingers, it was a three so he said “That’s right”. If confusion arose, the woman would intervene and flash a new finger for him to respond. At one point, the woman intervened in Swedish saying… “She is saying that you are the father of the baby and you fully understand that you are handing over full custody…” After flashing a finger, the Kenyan dude said “exactly” and it was all over. He was adviced by the woman to say “Tack så mycket” (Thank you very much) with a big smile to the official after the business and things went on smoothly.

Once the papers were signed, the couple apparently returned home to celebrate. The guy had just signed papers giving the Swedish woman full custody of their kid without knowing it. After gaining full custody, the woman began to make plans to move to Germany with the kid without informing the guy. One evening, she broke the news that she was moving to Germany in two days and thanked the guy “for his time”. The news effectively led the guy into a state of shock. By the time he managed to put his act together to contact the Swedish authorities, the woman had flown to Germany with the kid and began a new life.

According to Swedish authorities, there was nothing they could do because the papers showed that the woman had full custody of the kid. A deeper examination by authorities revealed that it was the guy who signed the custody papers and under the circumstances, the woman had every right to relocate to Germany or any country.

Another issue is that the woman had already signed divorce papers and left them with the Swedish authorities so the guy was technically single and paperless. The Swedish authorities have told the guy that the best he can do is to travel to Germany, take contact with German authorities and begin to follow the case because there is little they could do. This is another sad story of a peperless Kenyan in Sweden. - Written by Okoth Osewe in Sweden.

Nairobi, Tuesday 6th October, 2009. Ruto backs The Hague option. Agriculture Minister William Ruto on Tuesday supported the coalition government's decision to try suspected post-election violence at The Hague.  However, the Eldoret North Member of Parliament says Kenyans must find a homegrown solution that will see the end of recurrent violence associated with general elections. Ruto made the remarks at his Kilimo house office a day after President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga appeared to wash their hands off the prospects of putting in place a local tribunal to try the suspects. The government has opted to accord priority to reconciliation while leaving the door open for the suspects bearing the greatest responsibility over the post-election violence to be tried by the International Criminal Court.Kibaki and Raila told Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan during a meeting on Monday that the Coalition Government was accelerating the reform of the Judiciary to be better placed to handle the bulk of the cases. They further expressed their commitment to ending impunity. Annan who is also the chairman of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities that brokered a power-sharing agreement last year, has asked the government to speed up reforms under the Agenda four reforms. Parliament has already rejected the setting up of a tribunal, opting for the International Criminal Court at The Hague to take over the cases. More than 1,000 people are believed to have been killed in an orgy of murder that lasted several weeks preceding the general election. Another 650,000 persons were displaced in the pandemonium, some of who still languish in camps for internally displaced persons.

Bilha Kihura well known as Mama Ciku of Reading, UK has lost her mother back in Kenya. Friends and relatives are meeting at 60 Tern close, Reading, UK RG30 4AZ daily from Monday 6.00- 10.00pm for prayers and funeral arrangements. For further information please contact Mr Lawrence Kihura on: 07774364893 or Mrs Bilha Kihura: 07887948847 or Josh Kamau: 07930133312.

Make way, you young and single girls. It's now the turn for married women to strut their stuff. The Mrs Kenya beauty pageant was held at the weekend at the Laico Regency Hotel where Beatrice Kanyeki, 27, and a mother of two was crowned the lucky winner. She will represent Kenya at the Mrs World pageant to be held in Vietnam in November. Now, does this mean Mr Kanyeki (right) is the new Mr Kenya? - The Standard.

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"Nyoni njugi ndiakaga gitara kiayo irigu ikuru no nyoni kirimu." - Gakunia

A wise bird does not built it's nest on an mature banana. This is because the banana is almost ready to be harvest and the nest will be harvested together.

Scam hits more e-mail accounts

The scale of a phishing attack originally thought to be directed at Hotmail may be larger than previously thought. BBC News has seen a list of more than 20,000 more names and passwords that have been posted online. The list contains e-mail addresses and passwords from Hotmail, Yahoo, AOL, Gmail and other service providers. The list was published on the same website as the original list of 10,000 Hotmail login details. Some of the accounts appear to be old, unused or fake. However, BBC News has confirmed that many - including Gmail and Hotmail addresses - are genuine. Other addresses include Comcast and Earthlink accounts. It is not clear whether the list was part of the same phishing attack that collected the Hotmail addresses or a separate scam. Phishing involves using fake websites to lure people into revealing details such as bank account details or login names. A spokesperson for Microsoft said phishing was an "industry-wide problem". "Our guidance to customers is to exercise extreme caution when opening unsolicited attachments and links from both known and unknown sources, and that they install and regularly update their anti-virus software."

I found massive spider in my bananas

These spine-tingling pictures show the eight-legged monster a shopper watched crawl out from his bag of bananas. Father of five Gez White spotted the large arachnid lurking inside the fruit - still alive. The 38-year-old, of Mixenden in West Yorkshire, said: 'I thought it was a bit of muck at first but then I saw one of its legs. It scared the life out of me.' Asda in Halifax has sent the creature to supplier Del Monte to be identified.

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Today’s article

Forex trading - How can you make money?

Buying low and selling high is the base of making money in Forex. For example If you buy GBP against USD when 1GBP is equal to 1.6554USD and then sell it when it is 1.7035USD, you have made a profit….Read more

Sokoni Trading School in Conjunction With Misterseed Brings you Free Forex Trading Articles

Many of you have requested some more information on forex trading and for this reason we will be running a series of articles for your viewing pleasure over the next few weeks. To read these articles click on the link below. Future updates will be posted here on Misterseed. So watch this space!

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Escaping death by inches

With the KCB Guru Nanak Rally in Kajiado on Sunday, 12-year-old Mandela Moriney’s decision to watch the race literally turned into a race for his life. The Class Five pupil at Paraney Primary School had chosen what he thought was the perfect vantage point to watch cars whiz past until disaster struck. The car of Charles Hinga and Evans Mwenda lost control, veered off the road and flew over Mandela’s head before lodging between two trees. The two were treated for minor bruises while the boy was left to contemplate his close brush with death. Photos: KTN Crew.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga appeared to wash their hands of a local tribunal as they put up a spirited defence of their reform record in a meeting with Mr Kofi Annan on Monday 5th October, 2009. Mr Annan, the chairman of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities that brokered a power-sharing agreement last year, is in the country to ask the government to speed up reforms. The government reported some progress in areas of the so-called Agenda Four reforms, with the exception of the setting up of a domestic court to try perpetrators of the post-election violence. Parliament rejected the setting up of such a tribunal, opting for the International Criminal Court at The Hague to take over the cases. The President and Mr Odinga met Mr Annan at the President’s Harambee House office for one-on-one talks without aides shortly after 12pm. “On the issue of the trial of perpetrators of the post-election violence, the Grand Coalition Government opted to accord priority to reconciliation while leaving the door open for suspects bearing the greatest responsibility over the post-election violence to be tried by the International Criminal Court,” they said in a statement at the end of the one-hour meeting. Other perpetrators, they agreed, will be tried by a reformed Judiciary. The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission which was at one time suggested as the platform to handle the perpetrators would only play the role of correcting historical injustices. - The Standard.

METHALI YA KISWAHILI

Hucheka kovu asiye kuwa na jeraha.

He laughs at scar who has received no wound.

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It’s the Hague, Kibaki and Raila tell Annan

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga appeared to wash their hands of a local tribunal as they put up a spirited defence of their reform record in a meeting with Mr Kofi Annan on Monday 5th October, 2009. Mr Annan, the chairman of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities that brokered a power-sharing agreement last year, is in the country to ask the government to speed up reforms. The government reported some progress in areas of the so-called Agenda Four reforms, with the exception of the setting up of a domestic court to try perpetrators of the post-election violence. Parliament rejected the setting up of such a tribunal, opting for the International Criminal Court at The Hague to take over the cases. The President and Mr Odinga met Mr Annan at the President’s Harambee House office for one-on-one talks without aides shortly after 12pm. “On the issue of the trial of perpetrators of the post-election violence, the Grand Coalition Government opted to accord priority to reconciliation while leaving the door open for suspects bearing the greatest responsibility over the post-election violence to be tried by the International Criminal Court,” they said in a statement at the end of the one-hour meeting. Other perpetrators, they agreed, will be tried by a reformed Judiciary. The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission which was at one time suggested as the platform to handle the perpetrators would only play the role of correcting historical injustices. - Daily Nation.

A statement issued by the Presidential Press Service, which acknowledged Raila’s position as similar to Kibaki’s, gave what the principals called "the factual status of the Reform implementation" as simply "impressive".

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Pet 350lb Bear Mauls Woman To Death

An American woman has been mauled to death by her pet black bear as she cleaned its cage. Pennsylvania police said 37-year-old Kelly Ann Walz was killed on Sunday by the 350lb (160kg) beast. The victim had been keeping the animal inside a 15ft by 15ft steel cage near her house in Ross Township. Ms Walz had thrown some dog food to one side of the enclosure to distract the bear while she cleaned the other side, officials said. But, at some point, it turned and attacked her. The beast was shot and killed. Tim Conway, of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, told the Morning Call local newspaper: "These animals, even though they may be very docile one day, you never know. "They are wild animals and they're very powerful and they could easily destroy your day." He said Ms Walz also owned a Bengal tiger and an African lion, and had licences to keep them. "I don't know what makes an individual want to have a pet or animal like this in captivity. I just don't," Mr Conway said. An investigation into the bear attack is continuing, police said.

Important changes for sponsors under the points-based system

Home Office, 05 October 2009

The UK Border Agency has today published revised guidance for employers and education providers who sponsor migrants under the points-based system, and has enabled education providers to use the sponsorship management system for the first time. The sponsor guidance has now been split into separate documents for employers (Tiers 2 and 5 of the points-based system) and for education providers (Tier 4). Both guidance documents, together with a list of changes from the previous guidance, can be downloaded from the sponsor guidance page of this website. Additionally, the sponsorship management system is now available to Tier 4 sponsors, enabling them to issue confirmations of acceptance for studies (CAS) for the first time. During a voluntary trial period which will run until February 2010, Tier 4 sponsors will be able to choose whether to issue visa letters or CAS to migrants applying to them from inside the United Kingdom. CAS will completely replace visa letters next February. For more information about how Tier 4 sponsors can use the sponsorship management system, see the Tier 4 phase 3 news story.

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"Nobody raises his own reputation by lowering others." - The Road To Success Is Always Under Construction

"A [seemingly] unforgivable injury is a profound and irreversible assault on the fundamental belief system of the person who has been injured...It is not the battering but what happens to a battered woman's beliefs as a result of the battering that makes [the injury seemingly so] unforgivable...[the most serious] injuries separate people from the very ideas they once believed were true--beliefs about themselves, the world, other people, good and bad, right and wrong, the future, and even the validity of the history they have shared with the person who hurt them...The forgiving process is one in which both morality and meaning are defined and redefined until the world again makes sense [to the person injured]." - Beverly Flanigan - Forgiving The Unforgivable: Overcoming the Legacy of Intimate Wounds

The prices of residential property in Kenya reduced by

1.4 per cent and 2.2 per cent in the second and

third quarter of 2009 respectively.

Prices of upper and middle income houses in Nairobi are falling after consistently rising in the last two years, this according to a property index issued by real estate agents, HassConsult. The trend has been attributed to a high supply of houses in the market. The prices of residential property reduced by 1.4 per cent and 2.2 per cent in the second and third quarter of 2009 respectively, compared to 2007 and 2008 when every quarter saw a 4 per cent or more increase. Between 2007 and 2008 the overall prices went up by 30 per cent. In recent months, despite the demand for housing, the financial strains on middle and upper income buyers have shown, bringing a slow down in the market, where so many new residential developments have come up. This, however, gives a small picture of the overall trends in the property market as it only included actual residential places that could not be developed further in up-market suburbs. “This particular index is targeted purely at price changes in urban houses, villas and apartments where the only element driving the price is competition for that property,” said Hamida Hassanali, director HassConsult. This is Nairobi’s first property price index, which the company will be releasing every three months. - Daily Nation.

England match to be internet only

England's World Cup qualifier in Ukraine on Saturday will be shown exclusively live to subscribers on the internet who will pay at least £4.99. All previously broadcast England matches have been available on TV. Kentaro - an international agency appointed by the Ukrainian Football Federation - originally sold the UK rights for the game to Setanta. But after the pay-TV firm collapsed, digital sport specialist Perform was appointed to stream the match online. The match will be shown on the website www.ukrainevengland.com and viewers will be able to subscribe to it using PayPal, the electronic payment service. England have already qualified for the 2010 World Cup, winning all eight of their group matches.

A Kenyan has passed away in Marietta, USA. Mr James Kihara Kinyua, "Baba Carol" Of powder Springs Ga. passed away last week. He was the husband to Ruth Kiahara and father to Caroline Mukuhi Kihara, Sylvia Njeri Kihara, Dennis Kinyua Kihara and Michelle Wangui Kihara. Family and friends are meeting at 4943 Muirwood Drive, Powder Springs Ga 30127 from 7.00pm to 9.00pm on Tuesday 6th October, Thursday 8th October and Saturday 10th October, 2009. There will be a memorial and fund raising service on Saturday October 10th 2009 at KACC church in Atlanta GA from 3.00pm to 5.00pm. The church address is 771 Elberta Dr. Marietta Ga. 30066. Details about the wake service and burial date will be announced later in the week pending confirmation of family members travelling from Kenya. For more information, please contact Charles Kinyua at 404-790-3102 or Edwin Mburuga at 404-819-6253. We appreciate your Prayers and Support. In Nairobi, Friends and family are meeting at the All Saints Cathedral at 6pm daily, please contact  Gloria Njambi Ndekei 0721 330957.

The late James Kihara Kinyua (Baba Carol)

Kenyans are coming together to meet the Channel 4 Broadcaster who unveiled the horrific children abuse in Mombasa on Saturday 10th October, 2009 at Phoenix Hall, Westow Hill, Crystal Palace SE19 3HA as from 2.30 p.m. Your views are very important. For more information contact 07903984578.

Benny Hinn denied entry into U.K.

Grapevine-based televangelist Benny Hinn was denied entry into the United Kingdom for a three-day rally this weekend in London under rules intended to combat extremism, according to news reports and a statement he released late Saturday 3rd October, 2009. The Telegraph of London reported on its Web site that thousands of evangelical Christians had planned to hear Hinn. In a letter distributed to attendants, Hinn said immigration officials turned him away during two attempts to enter the country. Under new rules, religious workers must obtain a certificate of sponsorship from a church before arriving in Britain. In his letter, Hinn apologized and told supporters he believed he had done everything he needed to do in order to enter the country. "I ask for your forgiveness and your patience, and again you have my promise and my word that these things will never happen again," Hinn wrote.

Christian preacher refused entry to Britain

under rules intended to fight extremism

Christian evangelist Benny Hinn, from Texas, has been refused entry to Britain after falling foul of new rules drawn up to combat hate crimes and extremism.

Thousands who travelled to see Mr Hinn perform at a London rally in Excel at the weekend as from 2nd, 3rd and 4th October, 2009 have been were left disappointed after officials at Stansted airport would not let him in the country. Border Agency officials turned back Mr Hinn, who landed by private jet, because he had failed to bring a valid sponsorship certificate from his church, required under rules introduced last November. The Pentecostal preacher, who was due to perform at a three day rally in a Docklands exhibition centre this weekend, flew on to Paris, and attempted – and failed – to regain entry to Britain via Luton. Thousands of evangelical Christians who had booked long weekend breaks to see the mission at the ExCeL centre were left waiting for Mr Hinn to appear at the free preaching event, not knowing why he failed to appear. Instead another pastor took his place. His "fire conference and miracle service" was scheduled to last three days, finishing on Saturday night. Among the "miracles" the Texan preacher performs is one in which he instructs participants to "let the bodies hit the floor". Videos of the services show the devout falling down backwards, "slain in spirit".

Mr Hinn has previously visited Britain without problems, but since November, under Home Office rules intended to combat extremism, all religious workers must obtain a valid certificate of sponsorship before they arrive in the UK. One of the aims of the new points-based system was to prevent teachers of religious hate entering the country. A Border Agency spokesman said the rules were designed to ensure that a legitimate sponsor is linked to any application to enter Britain for work purposes. He added: "These rules are applied objectively and clearly set out for travellers". Jill Masefield, who lives in Bristol, said she and thousands of other followers had been left waiting for Mr Hinn to appear at the free preaching event, not knowing why he had not appeared. "He's been coming here for years and years," she said. "I think it is very unfair thaty they have blocked him now. It has cost me a fortune in hotel bills and I feel we have been led up the garden path". - Telegraph, London.

What is a certificate of sponsorship?

A certificate of sponsorship is not an actual certificate or paper document like a work permit.  It is a unique reference number that you issue to the migrant to enable them to apply for permission to enter if outside the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance'), or permission to stay if inside the United Kingdom (known as 'leave to remain'). - MORE

18 injured in Kisumu accidents

Written By: Simon Achola/kna, Posted: Mon, Oct 05, 2009

At least 18 people were Monday morning seriously injured in two accidents in Kisumu. The first accident happened in Rabuor when a Nairobi bound bus christened star ways collided head on with an oncoming Nissan Matatu as it joined the main road after fueling in a nearby petrol station. Kisumu Central Police Deputy OCPD Nicholus musilu said at least ten people suffered serious injuries. In the second accident, eight passengers sustained serious injuries after a Nissan Matatu they were traveling in collided with a lorry at Holo center along the Kisumu-Bondo road. The injured were taken to Kombewa district hospital. The two accidents come barely a day after 14 people lost their lives in a grisly road accident at Kaitui along Kisumu-Kericho road.

Hola
Elsewhere in Hola, Tana River, twelve people were injured when a bus they were traveling in overturned at Bura trading centre. Seven of the injured were treated and discharged at the Bura district hospital, while five others are still undergoing treatment at the hospital. But three people who suffered serious injuries were transferred to Garissa Provincial General hospital for specialized treatment. Passengers aboard the ill fated bus claimed that the driver who escaped after the accident was over speeding when he lost control. The accidents also come in the wake of renewed efforts by traffic police to enforce the famous "Michuki rules'.

London, Monday 5th October, 2009. Financial firms may be recovering, with business volumes growing for the first time in two years, a survey has shown. Business increased in three months to early September, said 7% of those surveyed by PricewaterhouseCoopers and business organisation the CBI. But business volumes at building societies and life insurers dropped, suggesting an economic recovery is far from a done deal. "Future demand is still a major concern," said the researchers. On balance, 36% of financial services firms are more optimistic about the general business situation than in June. "For the first time since June 2007, banks are experiencing an upswing in confidence," said Andrew Gray, head of financial services consulting at PricewaterhouseCoopers. "Confidence is, in part, offset by concerns of further impairments and the impact of 'tougher' regulation." The UK's five largest banks recently accepted curbs on bonuses agreed by G20 leaders at the recent Pittsburgh summit, and stronger rules on overall banking are likely to follow.

'Happy' traders

Securities trading - behind much of the toxic waste that almost brought down the financial system last year - rose as well, driven by a record level of growth in dealings with financial institutions and "healthy" growth in business with overseas customers. "Securities traders are enjoying life again," said Pars Purewal, who looks after UK asset management at PricewaterhouseCoopers. "For the first time in the survey's 20-year history, all respondents are feeling optimistic about their business situation, a reflection of the rebound in equity markets." Mr Purewal said caution remained over the "threat of regulation" and whether demand would keep holding up. The survey showed profitability at building societies was "broadly flat" over the three months, with a resumption of declines expected in the current quarter. "Confidence among the building societies has fallen as funding difficulties continue to put pressure on profitability," Mr Gray said. "Signs of stabilisation in the housing market, however, have provided some cause for 'cautious cheer'." But he added that almost all were cutting operating costs and staff.

Kenyans house in US destroyed

Following the heavy rains and subsequent flooding that took place last week in Georgia, the family of Mr. David Kangethe and Mary Kangethe whose house is in Austell, Ga was totally destroyed. They lost everything that was on the ground floor and only managed to salvage a few items from the 1st floor. In a matter of hours, not only were they made homeless but almost destitute. Mrs. Kangethe had only been back 2 days from Kenya where she had gone to bury her father.  To help this family get back on their feet, Kenyans in Georgia have organized a prayer and fundraising meeting on October 4th 2009 at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Njaramba. The address is 2264 Perch Way SW, Marietta GA 30008.Kenyans in Diaspora are humbly requested to help in any way possible. You can get in touch with the following people for more information: Richard Kimani - 6788861963, Christopher Njaramba - 404-702-6310, Shelmith Njaramba - 404-702-7075, Lucy Karuri - 6784787804, Jennifer Mureithi - 6785594756 or Ruth - 6783570889 - Diaspora Messanger

Free transport from Nairobi airport and back

Free transport from Jomo Kenyatta Airport after arrival and free drop when returning if you book a room at Citywall Hotel. The man behind the idea is Mr. Mr. Dedan Mwenda Gichuhi. He has not been in London for the last one year and people have started wondering his whereabouts. But the political ambitious Mr. Gichuhi (above) well known by many in London as "muheshimiwa" has moved his base to Kenya where he is doing wonders. He has built a multi-million house on Duruma Road, on downtown Nairobi where Equity bank has taken apart of the ground floor and some shops and a hotel - Citywall hotel. Next time you visit Kenya you can get a reasonable accommodation here with the rooms going from KShs. 3,000 to Kshs. 5,000 per night full board. Good food in the restaurant. Citywall Hotel, Nairobi is a newly constructed modern luxurious hotel offering all self contained en-suite rooms.  Restaurant menu to suit local and international clientele. The hotel offers 42 elegantly furnished and irresistible rooms with balcony overlooking the beautiful Nairobi city. All the rooms are tastefully furnished with luxurious modern amenities designed to provide the ultimate comfort and convenience. All the rooms are connected to DSTv. The hotel boasts of uncompromised security, consisting of G4S emergency response (Alarm)* Ambulance services (St.Johns) *Air evacuation (Flying Doctors-(Armed)* Fire fighting services for residential only *KK security and Alarm response. *Well trained and groomed security guards to take good care of you. For more information visit www.citywallhotel.co.ke

Rare £11m gem becomes £100 rock

A rare gemstone valued at £11m that helped to underpin the finances of a UK-based construction company could be almost worthless, reports suggest. Known as the Gem of Tanzania, the 2.1kg (4.6lb) ruby appeared in accounts of the now collapsed Wrekin Construction. Administrators Ernst & Young are now trying to sell the stone through the November issue of RocknGem Magazine and Colored Stone Magazine in the US. Experts suggest it could be worth just £100, the Financial Times says. The so-called "Wrekin Ruby" was used to revive the company's balance sheet and was listed in the accounts at £11m, despite being valued by a previous owner at £300,000, the paper adds. It now appears that even this valuation was way off the mark. "The gem will be widely advertised in specialist publications by our agents GVA Grimley and details of the sale have been circulated to all of Wrekin's creditors and appropriate media," said Ian Best at Ernst & Young. GVA Grimley describes itself as a leading UK property consultant, but also values industrial plant and machinery. RocknGem is a Peterborough-based magazine that covers "rocks, gems, minerals, fossils, gemstone and bead jewellery making".

 Tiny bird's incredible piggyback ride on hawk

This is the moment a tiny but very angry kingbird hitched a piggyback ride on a red tail hawk. The feisty little flyer began attacking the bird of prey after it ventured too near its nest. Pat Gaines, 41, captured the moment at Bonny Lake park in Colorado. 'I've never seen a hawk harassed so much. The kingbird pecked at its head as the hawk flew away screaming,' she said.

Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has called on Kenya to speed up reforms promised after post-election violence in early 2008. Speaking at the start of a three-day visit, he said Kenyans expected more from the coalition government. On Monday Mr Annan will meet Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. He brought the men together in a peace deal last year to end violence in which more than 1,300 people died. As part of the deal, politicians promised to carry out major reforms in the judiciary and the police force as well as electoral and land reform. Mr Annan, who was instrumental in pulling Kenya back from the brink of civil war, made it clear that so far the pace of reform has been too slow. He said the people of Kenya expected more concrete action to end impunity for the perpetrators of violence and to combat corruption. Mr Annan said that despite the slow progress, the much-needed reforms were still possible. He said it was vital that the reforms were carried out well ahead of elections in 2012. After meeting President Kibaki and Mr Odinga on Monday, Mr Annan will hold talks with civic groups and business leaders. Politicians are likely to say they are doing their best, but most Kenyans feel very little progress has been made especially in the fight to end impunity. Several politicians have been accused of instigating the violence. The pursuit of justice has been so slow that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has stepped in, saying it will prosecute key instigators of the violence. Bringing those people to justice could reopen some political rifts. But many Kenyans feel it is a risk worth taking to help end the deeply rooted culture of impunity.

Kofi Annan helped secure a peace agreement in February last year

Brace for El Nino rains, report says

The expected El NiÒo rains could lead to massive livestock deaths, soil erosion and huge crops damage. A new food security report warns the heavy showers could be a blessing, but also deal a heavy dent to the infrastructure. The report by Famine Early Warning System Network (Fewsnet) said despite the positive gains from the heavy rains there was a wide range of negative repercussions. It said the El NiÒo phenomenon would also reduce market accessibility due to flooding and increased prevalence of waterborne diseases. The monthly research is funded by the United States Agency for International Development, the Government and the World Food Programme (WFP).

Britain slapped a travel ban on 20 prominent Leaders

Isolated and besieged. That was the mood on Friday after Britain slapped a travel ban on 20 prominent people and the European Union demanded action on impunity. It was not immediately clear if the 20 included some of those put on notice by the US last week for stifling reforms, but the British High Commissioner, Rob Macaire, said they included politicians and businesspeople implicated in corruption. "That’s why we have slapped the travel ban on the personalities implicated in graft. We will soon send those affected letters on the action taken by the UK," said Macaire. He added those implicated in post-election violence must face the International Criminal Court (ICC) to ensure justice for the victims. "Britain supports any action taken by the ICC in relation to the Kenyan scenario," said Macaire. Earlier, the European Union, comprising 44 countries, read the Government the riot act. In a terse statement, it said the Government could not establish a "credible, independent, constitutionally protected tribunal to end the impunity by perpetrators of the post-poll violence within the agreed time frame". The move caps a bad week for the Grand Coalition Government, which has been fire-fighting crisis after crisis. The President has been on the receiving end of a resurgent Parliament, whose opposition to the reappointment of Aaron Ringera as the director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission led to Ringera’s resignation on Wednesday. It is also the first time in almost 20 years that the country is under scrutiny on governance. In the early 1990s, donors forced the Kanu regime to open up the political space, ushering in multi-partisym. Since then, Kenya has not faced such sustained pressure witnessed in failed States like Zimbabwe where President Robert Mugabe has been cast as a pariah for autocratic rule. Sanctions by the EU and US led to the collapse of the Zimbabwean economy, with inflation topping record levels and its leaders restricted to travelling to China and Eastern European states for handouts.

Across the border, Sudan has been in the crosshairs for abuse of human rights, which culminated in ICC indictment of President Omar el-Bashir. It remains to be seen whether Kibaki will capitulate under international pressure. But analysts say, unlike in Zimbabwe and Sudan where the rule of law had collapsed, Kenya only requires political will to effect change. Again, the question is why the Executive is reluctant. The EU and US are Kenyans’ largest trading and development partners. The UK ban comes barely a week after the US put 15 Kenyans — Cabinet ministers, MPs, senior civil servants and businessmen — on notice for frustrating the reform agenda. Matters are compounded by the fact leaders are split along party lines over the pressure by donors to fast track judicial, police and governance reforms. Already, the economy is reeling from the effects of acute food, water and power shortages precipitated by prolonged drought. Planning Minister Wycliffe Oparanya told The Standard on Saturday the actions being contemplated by the United States, UK, the European Union, and Canada are extreme and could result in further economic slump. "As a country we cannot operate in isolation. We are members of the United Nations, World Trade Organisation and regional bodies. We cannot be on the periphery of a community of civilised nations as a result of stalled reforms," said Oparanya. PNU vice-chairman George Nyamweya said the Americans and Europeans were not being helpful to the reform agenda by issuing threats. "It is despicable blackmail. Why don’t they simply do what they intend to do, blacklist people they don’t like, and turn them away when they show up in European capitals?" he asked

In Naivasha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government Musalia Mudavadi said the Cabinet would meet next Thursday to decide the fate of perpetrators of post-election violence before ICC prosecutor Moreno Ocampo moves in. The Government failed to meet the September 30 deadline set by Ocampo in June. "The Cabinet shall meet next week and we shall be in a better position to tell the country the next step," he said. Mudavadi dismissed claims by Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo that the Cabinet had agreed to hand over key suspects to ICC. Former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ochieng’ Adala, said the economic implications are serious. "The wheels of State move at a snail’s speed. If we had embarked on Agenda Four, the pressure would not have been there. What development partners are doing is sending a wake-up call to leaders to move with speed to address recurrent political violence and impunity," said Adala. (See story below) EU’s spotlight comes at a time the Cabinet is divided over how the suspects should be tried. President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s attempts to rally the Cabinet to support a local tribunal have failed. The matter has divided the Cabinet into three groups. One lot wants a special tribunal that meets ICC standards, which includes stripping the President of immunity against prosecution. Another roots for the suspects to be tried at The Hague. The third is pushing for the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission to handle the suspects. But the EU reiterated its position of July 27, and urged political leaders to engage in and recommit to implementation of the reforms as set out under the National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008, mediated by the African Union Panel of Eminent Personalities under Kofi Annan. Annan is expected in Nairobi tomorrow to review progress on implementation of the Accord, while Ocampo could jet in anytime. - The Standard.

Cowell’s £1m birthday bash for 400 guests

Simon Cowell celebrates his 50th birthday with star pals Kate Moss, Cheryl Cole and Leona Lewis on Saturday, October 3, 2009. Cowell's £1m birthday bash for 400 guests A Who's Who of celebrity-dom helped Simon Cowell splurge £1million on his 50th birthday bash.  About 400 guests attended the black-tie night for the man behind the X Factor and Britain's Got Talent. Rocker Ozzy Osbourne, singers Myleene Klass and Cheryl Cole and models Kate Moss – who sang a tribute to him after dinner – plus Naomi Campbell were just a few of the big names. Other performers included Il Divo and Leona Lewis.  Pictures showed a huge marquee had been put up in the grounds of Wrotham Park in Barnet, Hertfordshire.  Inside, pre-recorded birthday wishes from the likes of the Beckhams and Jennifer Aniston were displayed on giant screens – even in the toilets.  Guests had a school dinner-esque choice of shepherd's pie or fish fingers and chips, followed by rice pudding or bread and butter pudding.

UK house prices have now recovered to the same level as a year ago, according to the latest Nationwide figures. The average price of a home last month rose by 0.9% to £161,816, almost identical to September 2008. The building society said house prices had now risen for the fifth month in a row. However, the nation's homeowners continued to pay off more of their mortgages between April and June, according to the Bank of England. A further £7bn was added to people's equity in the country's housing stock, as homeowners accelerated the repayment of their home loans, or put down bigger deposits when taking out a new mortgage. An extra £29bn has now been added to the value of their stake in the UK's housing wealth since the summer of 2008, a process triggered by last year's sudden slump in house prices. The further injection of equity has partly reversed the previous trend, which saw home owners cashing in on the rising value of their properties by expanding their mortgages to finance other spending. More than £300bn was borrowed this way between the start of the decade and early 2008. The Nationwide warned that the recent house price increases were unlikely to continue at their present rate, especially if more properties come on to the market. "The most intense phase of the recession and financial crisis has probably passed," said Martin Gahbauer, the Nationwide's chief economist. "However, given that the housing market still faces considerable headwinds in the form of high unemployment, restrictive credit conditions and an impending withdrawal of the stamp duty holiday, it would be surprising to see house prices continuing to increase at the very strong rate seen in recent months," he added.

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SOME OF THE UK'S NEWSPAPERS ON FRIDAY 2ND OCTOBER, 200

Christmas cards must be sent within three weeks or they may not arrive in time, striking postal unions are warning, says the Express and The Independent reports that Iran appears to have pulled back from confrontation with the West over its nuclear programme, agreeing to admit inspectors to a newly revealed nuclear plant and to surrender some of its enriched uranium.

Evening Standard to be free paper

The London Evening Standard is to become a free newspaper, its publishers have said.  About 600,000 copies of the paper - which currently costs 50p - will be given out in London.  The move comes after the paper was sold by the publisher of the Daily Mail to Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev.  Last month, the London Paper free newspaper, owned by News International, ceased publication. The London Lite paper is already given away free.

This drunk chap claimed that the matatus splashed dirty water to his wife. We were not able to establish if he was telling the truth but the fact is his plan worked leaving only one lane which then slowed the matatus. But it took minutes for an accident to happen. As usual matatus drivers refusing to give way to the others. Selfish lads on our roads. The bridge is eroding now with no sign of help from our council. According to The General Nuisance By Laws i have a bone to chew with the council it clearly states 'Causing risk to users through inadequate fenced or unfenced land, lack of repair, protection, removal on enclosure, leaving things around that may make one to fall and discharge a missile in or near a street'. Is the council aware of it's by laws? This applies to this bridge period! - Story and photo by Karuga wa Njuguna.

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Martyns & Rose SOLICITORS

Rose Muigai has opened a Law firm/Solicitors office at Hounslow, West London area.

The firm is located at:

Vista Business Centre, 50 Salisbury Road, Hounslow, Middlesex TW4 6JG.

DIRECTIONS: BUS 423 from Hatton Cross or Hounslow bus garage,

Underground Piccadilly line- Hatton Cross or Hounslow West Station.

For more details contact Rose on:

Tel: 0208 1397/1398, Fax: 0208 538 1396, Mobile: 07931 116124

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Mr Price has now ventured in the Nairobi CBD. The store which is part of The Deacons groups opened it's doors on Wednesday 30th September, 2009 during the official opening by The MD Mr Wahome Muchiri. They have three stores in Nairobi and one in Nyali Mombasa. The ones in Nairobi are situated at Westgate which is a home store, Junction which is a clothing and this new one on Moi Avenue which is a combination of the two (home store and clothing) and is named Mr Price Weekend. They are currently holding many different advertisements in town to create awareness. The store boast a goods return policy where by if not happy with the item, they say they will replace it if you bring with you the receipt from the till without a problem. - Photo and story by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi, Kenya.

Blow your nose and kiss goodbye to Sh2,000

It is now illegal to blow your nose in the city of Nairobi and you could go to jail for it. If they don’t get you for blowing your nose, they will get you for spitting on one of the city’s many rubbish heaps and rivers of sewage. And if they don’t catch you on any of that, you will certainly find yourself behind bars for crossing the road while talking on the phone. In a raft of new by-laws, the City Council has also criminalised making noise. The by-laws are contained in a brochure issued on Thursday. Those found spitting will be jailed for three months or pay a fine of Sh2,000, or both. The same sentence will be imposed on those arrested for blowing their noses without using a handkerchief or tissue. According to the City Inspectorate Department, making noise of any kind in the City will result in arrest. Council spokesman Wilfred Marube said the new by-laws will guide residents who according to him were not aware that such rules exist. “We have to make the city more habitable,” he said, adding: “Most people through poor ethics have made this place (Nairobi) look bad.”  He did not say whether proper planning of the city, cleaning up the garbage and sewage, managing traffic and clearing slums would not have been more sustainable solutions. Motorists will not be charged parking fees on weekends and public holidays, with the exception of Saturday, when the charges will be levied up to 2pm.  Speaking while releasing the by-laws on Thursday, Mr Marube said most residents ignored city regulations and this has forced city fathers to impose stiff penalties.

City Council askaris arrest a man who was allegedly found sitting on a flower pot near Kencom bus terminus in Nairobi on Thursday. The council has published new by-laws, which ban spitting in the streets or blowing noses.

City Council of Nairobi has started to educate Nairobians about the bylaws namely
General Nuisance by laws
Which includes ie
Making any kind of noise on the streets
Destroying the surface of a public street
cutting down trees without a permit from the council
Defecating or urinating on a street or any other place
Touting of passengers
Failure to observe traffic lights or zebra crossing among others

Parking by laws
Offences are the usual ones
Non payments of Parking
Parking on pavements or council gardens
Damaging a vehicle clamp et

Solid waste managements by laws
Burning, throwing away etc of waste is an inappropriate place is an offence
among others

Fire Brigade by laws
talks about fire
Making and causing fire
Giving false alarm to fire brigade
Obstructing molesting any member of fire brigade when on duty etc.

City askari educating the public about the bylaws and on right a salute from SGT Rose Ndegwa before explaining the City bylaws

Evangelist Ann wa Kamau for ladies meeting

Evangelist Ann wa Kamau from Kenya will be the guest speaker at CCBC Swahili Service Ladies Meeting on Saturday 3rd October, 2009. The meeting takes place at Greatfield Church, King Edwards Road, Barking, IG11 7TR as from  11.00 a.m. The firely lady from Kenya will present some of her numbers before the meeting.  She will be presenting her song from her album which she explained that she got the song while in death bed in hospital in North Eastern Province in Kenya. The doctors had given hope on her but God had not given up on her. The song entitled "Njiraga Nehova Niwega" (I always praise God for his goodness). The song originates from the book Ephesians 5:20.  She minister through Kayu FM and Inooro FM in Kenya from time to time. You can contact me on 07536260660.

PLOTS FOR SALE

PLOTS NEXT TO KU CAMPUS RUIRU

(FORMERLY RUIRU HIGH SCHOOL)

Location.

The land is located directly behind  the former Ruiru High School which is now a campus of Kenyatta University. The land is also second from Thika Road which is being extended so in terms of location and access, the location is good. The area is developing fast just like most of the City. From the land, you can see and access Thika Road quite easily. The campus is just a minute’s walk away.

Current market conditions

100 by 50 plots (half of a quarter) were being sold for Ksh. 1.5 Million. There is a 2.5 acre piece available. Being next to the campus, there is an immediate market for Hostels or indeed two and one bedroom flats. The financial  returns are good. A five floor development is expected to fetch an estimated rent of Ksh. 640,000.00 per month, having two students per bedsit each paying Ksh. 32,000.00 per semester. The returns are above the norm due to the proximity to the Campus.

You can buy and build now or buy, hold and sell in a couple of years for a decent profit.

Availability

There are 18 plots available, to be sub-divided amongst the buyers. The cost for each is Ksh 1.5 Million. The area is developing fast and all the previous ones have all sold out.

Terms

10% on reservation and the balance in 90 days.

The   land on sale is at corner of the college where there is a pathway.
The college is in the first row and the plot next which is fenced direct behind it is the second row.

For more information please contact 07886824792 or timm4646@yahoo.co.uk

Kenya ready for ICC says Mutula. Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo wants the ICC to take over the trials of suspects of post election violence.  Mutula's statement comes a day after the ultimatum that was agreed between the government and ICC to set a local tribunal elapsed on Wednesday. Mutula admitted that efforts to set up a local tribunal have hit a dead end. Addressing the press in his office Thursday Mutula Kilonzo confirmed receiving a letter from Ocampo expressing his interest to discuss with the government on the way forward in trying the post election suspects. The letter from the ICC prosecutor seeked to have a conversation with the minister for justice on the issue. Mutula insisted that he is supporting the local tribunal that can enjoy confidence of the people however he blamed the perception of the public that the country cannot formulate legislation that can meet the expectation fact of the public Meanwhile, the Chair of the African Union (AU) Panel of Eminent African Personalities, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, plans to visit Nairobi next Sunday to assess the progress of the implementation of reforms under Agenda Item Four of the National Accord.   In press statement, Annan says he looks forward to holding discussions with the two principals as well as members of the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation process during his four-day visit. Annan says he also intends to exchange views with representatives of civil society, including religious leaders and the business community, and other stakeholders in the country regarding the reform process. Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo says Annan is still important in ensuring that issues under Agenda four are addressed. The former UN Chief last visited Kenya in October last year when he received, on behalf of the Panel, the final report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Post-Election Violence (CIPEV).

Mutula admitted that efforts to set up a local tribunal have hit a dead end.

Do you know that you can now open a bank account in Kenya through texting to the bank your name and Identity Card number and next  day you visit the bank you will find the account already opened - technology at hand

Migrants in UK will be asked to provide mouth swabs for DNA testing to assess their nationality

DNA testing to assess nationality of UK asylum seekers - To start with Kenyans claiming to be Somalis

Posted on 01-10-2009, 06:24:00 by Mojatu

The UK Border Agency has reportedly launched a new Human Provenance pilot project intended to use genetic testing as an additional element to other forensic techniques used to determine the true nationalities of asylum seekers (see Observer news article). The project is initially testing samples provided on a voluntary basis by asylum seekers from Africa who have failed linguistic tests and are suspected of claiming false nationality – for example, Kenyans who claim to be Somalis fleeing persecution – but could be extended to other nationalities if deemed successful.

The pilot will use mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome testing, as well as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) analysis in an attempt to help determine the true nationality of applicants. However, the plans have attracted serious criticism about the scientific basis for this application of genetic testing. The Border Agency has reportedly released a written response saying: “This project is working with a number of leading scientists in this field who have studied differences in the genetic backgrounds of various population groups” (see ScienceInsider article), although these scientists are not identified.

Other leading scientists say that using genetic data to attempt to determine nationality in this manner is flawed; Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys of the University of Leicester (who invented the forensic DNA fingerprinting technique) told Science that it was “wildly premature, even ignoring the moral and ethical aspects”, also pointing out that even were sufficient research evidence on the ability of DNA testing to identify ethnic origin from that region available, genetic indications of ethnicity would still not establish nationality.

Although many companies now offer genealogical or ancestry DNA testing services, their utility is highly questionable; they typically use 'methods that were developed for the study of human populations rather than individuals' (see Information on genetic ancestry testing). The concern is that asylum seekers will feel compelled to provide DNA samples for analysis and that the results may be inappropriately interpreted when officials attempt to use them in deciding on nationality. - Source: PHG Foundation.

Somali Islamists clash over port

Two Islamist groups who were previously working together in Somalia have become embroiled in a fierce fight for control of the southern port of Kismayo. At least 12 people have been killed and hundreds have fled their homes. Al-Shabab is reported to have gained the upper hand over Hizbul-Islam, some of whose fighters have left the town. The two groups have been national allies against the weak, UN-backed government, but tension has been building in Kismayo in recent weeks. The Islamist pair together control most southern and central areas of the country. The fighting in Kismayo between rival Islamist groups could be the beginning of the end of their national alliance - and good news for the embattled interim government. It is not unexpected that the two Islamist groups - Hizbul-Islam and al-Shabab - would fall out. But what is surprising is the timing. It was thought that their alliance would last until after they had unseated the UN-backed government, which now controls only a few key areas of the capital, Mogadishu.

Bizarre Genetic Testing of African Refugees

Raises Outcry from Scientists

Scientists in the United Kingdom are outraged over a new program that seeks to determine asylum seekers’ nationalities through DNA and the isotopes present in their hair and fingernails. “Horrifying,” “naïve,” and “flawed” are among the adjectives geneticists and isotope specialists have used to describe the “Human Provenance pilot project,” launched quietly in mid-September by the U.K. Border Agency. The experts say the tests simply aren’t accurate enough to pinpoint a person’s country of origin.
 
The program will be tried out on asylum seekers from the Horn of Africa, and will seek to establish whether applicants from Kenya or Ethiopia are masquerading as refugees from war-torn Somalia. Yet scientists say the Border Agency’s goals confuse ancestry or ethnicity with nationality. David Balding, a population geneticist at Imperial College London, notes that “genes don’t respect national borders, as many legitimate citizens are migrants or direct descendants of migrants, and many national borders split ethnic groups”.

In the second part of the testing, an applicant will be asked to give hair and fingernail samples; by looking at which forms of certain elements the samples contain, the government scientists hope to find evidence of the person’s diet and environment. But isotope specialist Tamsin O’Connell says the results won’t be specific enough to be meaningful. “It is very difficult to identify individuals to very specific locations using isotopes alone,” she said. “For example, you can’t necessarily tell the difference between a Frenchman or a German. They can be used on a regional or continental level, but they don’t relate to a political boundary”.

The UK Border Agency maintains that the program will be useful first step in determining an applicant’s true nationality, and says the biological tests will be followed up by in-person interviews and language analysis tests.

France's parliament has passed a new bill that introduces tighter curbs on foreigners hoping to join relatives in France - including possible DNA tests.  The controversial bill was passed in both the country's National Assembly and in the Senate.  Supporters say it will speed up the process for genuine applicants and cite similar laws in other European nations.  Critics have attacked the law as racist and questioned the use of genetics as a basis for being allowed into France.  The bill passed by 282 votes to 235 in the lower National Assembly and by 185 votes to 136 in the upper Senate.  It offers prospective migrants DNA tests to prove their link to relatives already living in France.  It also requires hopeful incomers to take a language test and show they are familiar with French values.  Relatives of prospective immigrants living in France must show they have adequate income to support the newcomer.

DNA tests for asylum seekers 'deeply flawed'

UK Borders Agency believes this test will help limit claims by people pretending to have fled war zones

Sunday, 20 September 2009  

Asylum seekers are to be subjected to DNA tests in an attempt to confirm their true nationalities, the Observer can reveal. The UK Borders Agency believes this will help limit bogus asylum claims made by people arriving in the UK and pretending to have fled war zones so they cannot be deported. But the "Human Prevalence Pilot Project", which is being launched as a pilot and without fanfare, has been fiercely criticised by migrant support groups who describe it as "deeply flawed".

According to the Home Office, the scheme will involve taking "forensic samples provided on a voluntary basis from those suspected of abusing the asylum system". At first, the six-month pilot will target claimants arriving from the Horn of Africa. The Borders Agency has been concerned for some time that Kenyans pass themselves off as Somalis in the hope of gaining asylum. But the project could be expanded to other nationalities if successful, a Home Office spokeswoman confirmed. At first it will be used only on those who fail language analysis testing, which has been used for years to determine the country of origin, but is open to legal dispute. Refugee support groups expressed fury. They are concerned about how DNA testing will work and whether it will be able to distinguish legitimately between the profiles of the many nomadic peoples from eastern Africa.

"It is regrettable that this pilot has been introduced without consultation, as there are obvious pitfalls in trying to prove nationality genetically," said Caroline Slocock, of Refugee and Migrant Justice. She said it "would lead to serious miscarriages of justice". Sandy Buchan, of Refugee Action, said: "Many of those who seek asylum are two or even three generations removed from the country of origin of their parents and grandparents, and are fleeing areas other than the nation of their birth. A Zimbabwean farmer fleeing persecution may possess the DNA of British relatives; would they be denied asylum on that basis?" The Home Office spokeswoman said ancestral DNA testing would not be used alone but would be combined with language analysis, investigative interviewing techniques and other recognised forensic disciplines. - Guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media 2009

Experts condemn asylum DNA tests

Leading scientists have criticised as "naive" and scientifically flawed DNA tests for asylum seekers to establish where they come from. The UK Border Agency "human provenance pilot project" is aimed at stopping people "swapping" nationality in the hope of remaining in the UK. It is testing migrants to try to establish where they are from. But scientists say it is not possible to tell what country a person comes from using the tests. The pilot began earlier this month, targeting migrants from the Horn of Africa. Mouth swabs, hair and nail samples will be tested on a voluntary basis. It is understood there is concern that some asylum seekers are pretending to be from countries like war-torn Somalia when making their asylum claims when in fact they are from neighbouring countries. The Home Office said "nationality swapping is often used by fraudulent asylum seekers to help prevent their removal. "That is why we are continuously looking at new and improved ways to ensure that we can ascertain the correct identity and nationality from every asylum seeker." Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys of the University of Leicester pioneered human DNA fingerprinting. He described the pilot as "naive and scientifically flawed". "It is bad science and could profoundly affect the lives of people, it's a shocker," he said. "The Borders Agency is clearly making huge and unwarranted assumptions about population structure in Africa; the extensive research needed to determine population structure and the ability or otherwise of DNA to pinpoint ethnic origin in this region simply has not been done. "Even if it did work, which I doubt, assigning a person to a population does not establish nationality - people move!", Prof Jeffries said. Hair and nail samples will be tested for isotopes, or different types of the same chemical element which relates to an individual's diet or their environment.

Clearer picture

But Tamsin O'Connell, lecturer in bioarchaeology at the University of Cambridge, said using the samples that way would not enable the Border Agency to pinpoint a person's country of origin. "It is very difficult to identify individuals to very specific locations using isotopes alone," she said. "For example, you can't necessarily tell the difference between a Frenchman or a German. They can be used on a regional or continental level, but they don't relate to a political boundary." The UK Border Agency maintains the scheme, which will last six months, will build up a clearer picture of where an asylum seeker comes from. "This will enable the UK Border Agency to make further enquiries, including language analysis and face-to-face interviews, to indicate the possible origin of an individual and help successfully return them to their true country more quickly," a spokesperson said.

Kenya's much-criticised anti-corruption chief has resigned just weeks after he was reappointed by the president. Aaron Ringera said he was stepping down in the best interests of the country and the anti-corruption commission. President Mwai Kibaki had unilaterally reappointed him for a second five-year term as head of the commission without consulting parliament. MPs refused to accept the appointment, saying Mr Ringera was ineffective and that the president had acted illegally. Correspondents say Mr Ringera has come under fire from Kenyans for not doing enough to tackle corruption. The KACC head is Kenya's best-paid civil servant, earning 2.5m shillings ($34,000; £21,000) a month - a higher salary than the president. Mr Kibaki reappointed Mr Ringera without consulting MPs earlier this month, immediately sparking protests from politicians and anti-corruption campaigners. Aid donors accused the president of failing to keep his promises to tackle the rampant corruption in Kenya. Since Mr Kibaki took office in 2002, no senior officials have been convicted.

'Assets recovered'

But at a press conference, Mr Ringera defended his record, saying he did not have the powers to prosecute those accused of corruption. He said the commission had investigated and recommended the prosecution of eight government ministers, four MPs, 11 permanent secretaries and 65 directors or chief executive officers of public institutions, Reuters news agency reports. Assets worth $60m (£37m) had also been recovered, he said. "Experience has shown that those commissions with powers to investigate and prosecute their own cases have done better than those without," he said. The BBC's Anne Waithera in Nairobi says when parliament voted to block Mr Ringera's reappointment it was the first time in the country's history the legislature had overruled the executive. Some analysts said it was an indication of parliament's growing power. But others argue that by getting rid of Mr Ringera, MPs have not solved the problem as the KACC still does not have powers to prosecute.

SOME OF UK NEWSPAPERS ON THURSDAY 1ST OCTOBER, 2009

The Independent carries a full page picture of a weeping survivor as Samoa and Indonesia both reel from natural disasters. CENTRE: Government plans to ban drinking in the street to tackle the binge culture is the lead story in the Daily Mail. RIGHT: The Daily Express carries a story saying scientists claim to have discovered a drug that can reverse the ageing process in the human body, making muscles younger and stronger.

As he left, Justice Aaron Ringera says the anti-corruption war will not be won if the watchdog is not given teeth.

Kenya seizes massive ivory haul

Kenyan authorities have seized almost 700kg of ivory worth millions of dollars in a night-time raid at the country's main airport. The Kenya Wildlife Service says a similar amount was intercepted in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Both consignments - with a potential value of more than $1.5m (£938,000) - were reportedly headed for Thailand.

Citizenship ceremony conman jailed

Home Office, 29 September 2009

The mastermind behind a fake document scam which raked in hundreds of thousands of pounds from immigrants seeking to stay in the United Kingdom has been jailed for four-and-half years after a trial at Southwark Crown Court. There is no hiding place for those that break the rules. We will take steps to deport Mr Li at the end of his sentence. Jeremy Oppenheim, UK Border Agency. Xiang Li, a 29-year-old from Stratford in London, who denied the charges, ran two bogus law firms, issued fake passports and work permits, and even staged a phoney citizenship ceremony where the unsuspecting immigrants were greeted by actors playing the parts of officials and local dignitaries against a backdrop of a picture of the Queen and the Union flag. The investigation into Li's activities, Operation Catalina, began when police officers working at King George Docks in Humberside arrested a Chinese national trying to enter the United Kingdom using what he believed to be a legitimate United Kingdom passport. Further inquiries by the UK Border Agency's immigration crime team led to two suspicious 'law firms' based in and around Lombard Street in central London. Called Lombard and Borough de Law, they advertised their services in the Chinese language press. Following operations on both firms, the immigration crime team unearthed receipts showing that the companies had charged up to 50 individuals an average of £20,000 for their services. Officers also uncovered evidence of the meticulously planned bogus citizenship ceremony, which took place at the Methodist Hall in Westminster in December 2007. The gang were also involved in issuing forged documents. This led to Xiang Li's arrest in January 2008.

Welcoming the verdict, UK Border Agency regional director Jeremy Oppenheim said:

'Criminal gangs should be warned - we are putting an end to scams like this. Major reforms to the immigration system are making life harder than ever for those seeking to abuse our hospitality. Today's verdict is the result of the strong partnerships we have forged with the police across the UK to crack down on organised criminals seeking to abuse the immigration system.  'The sentence handed out shows there is no hiding place for those that break the rules. We will take steps to deport Mr Li at the end of his sentence.'

With Xiang Li's conviction, the search continues for his alleged accomplice: 26-year-old Tian Zhao, whose real name is believed to be Wentao Li. The trial was the culmination of a 20-month investigation by the newly formed North East, Yorkshire and the Humber immigration crime team, which comprises UK Border Agency officers working with detectives from seven police forces in the region to tackle organised immigration crime. Dave Powell, Detective Chief Inspector for the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber immigration crime team, said:

'This was a highly organised and elaborate national scam, and we are pleased to see this successful conviction today. The combination of skills from UK Border Agency immigration officers and detectives from the police make for a formidable team that can pursue suspects wherever they reside in the UK.  'We remain committed to tracing others suspected of being part of this organised crime group, to ensure that they cannot take advantage of other vulnerable people who seek to live and work in the UK.'

The trial judge recommended Xiang Li, who had denied the charges, for deportation after serving his sentence.

'Spectacular' new diamond found

One of the largest, high quality diamonds discovered to date has been found at a mine in South Africa, mining group Petra Diamonds has revealed. The 507 carat stone, which could be worth in excess of $20m (£12.5m), was found with three other large diamonds. They were discovered at the famous Cullinan mine, where the largest diamond in history was found more than 100 years ago. The new find is being analysed by experts to determine its true value. A 480 carat diamond found at the end of last year fetched $18m. "The Cullinan mine has again given the world a spectacularly beautiful and important diamond," said Petra's chief executive Johan Dippenaar. "Initial indications are that it is of exceptional colour and clarity, which suggest extraordinary potential for its polished yield." Petra said the stone is one of the 20 biggest, high quality diamonds to have been found. A 168 carat stone was also discovered, alongside one of 58 carats and another of 53 carats. The largest diamond to be discovered, named the Cullinan, was 3,106 carats. It was cut into nine separate stones, many of which are in the British Crown Jewels.

A LUO PROVERB

Ituomo wi ji.

You knock people's heads.

The saying is used referring to someone who is fond of creating animosity between people.

Two new policy announcements for Tier 4 of the points-based system

Home Office, 30 September 2009

In line with the launch of the sponsorship management system for Tier 4 of the points-based system on 5 October 2009, the UK Border Agency has announced new policy for Tier 4 sponsors and would-be students.

The new policy centres on two main areas:

1. Extending the maintenance concession for Tier 4 applicants who are already in the United Kingdom - this will help to ease the transition process for would-be students.

2. Tying Tier 4 students' permission to stay to their sponsors, if they make their application on or after 5 October - this will strengthen Tier 4 and strengthen the United Kingdom border.

Extending the maintenance concession for Tier 4 applicants who are already in the United Kingdom

Tier 4 applicants need to have enough money to cover their course fees and maintenance. They must normally show that they have held this money for a 28-day period ending no more than one month before their application, but until now we have operated a concession allowing them to show only that have the required funds in place on the date when they apply. This concession ends on 1 October 2009. However, we recognise that many students already in the United Kingdom will not have needed to show this money before, so we have decided to allow a longer transitional period for all Tier 4 applications made within the United Kingdom. Would-be students who make a Tier 4 application from inside the United Kingdom before February 2010 will only need to show that they have the money needed on the day when they apply. They must still provide the correct documents to support their application. From 1 October 2009, would-be students applying from outside the United Kingdom must show that they have held the required money for a 28-day period ending no more than one month before the date of their application.

Tying Tier 4 students' permission to stay to their sponsors, if they make their application on or after 5 October

On 5 October 2009, new Tier 4 students' permission to stay in the United Kingdom will be 'tied' to the education provider that is sponsoring them. This will bring Tier 4 in line with other tiers of the points-based system. From 5 October, every new Tier 4 student will find their sponsor's reference number on the vignette in their passport or on their identity card for foreign nationals. In future, if a student wants to study with a new Tier 4 sponsor and they made their last application for a Tier 4 visa on or after 5 October 2009, they will need to apply for a new Tier 4 visa. They will not be allowed to begin studying with the new education provider until they have received a decision on the outcome of their application - if they do so, they will be committing a criminal offence for which they could be prosecuted or removed from the country. We have been asked whether students in this situation will be able to begin studying with the new education provider, at their own risk, before they have received a decision on their application. The UK Border Agency cannot condone a criminal offence, and therefore cannot advise students that this is an option for them. We will make every effort to ensure that applications from students wishing to change education provider are considered within the published service standard, so that they can move to the new education provider as quickly as possible. If a student wants to study with a new Tier 4 sponsor, and they made their last application for a Tier 4 visa before 5 October 2009, they will continue to be allowed to change their without making a new Tier 4 application. They must, however, seek permission from us to change their sponsor.

Kenya's heart stops pumping

Peter Ole Nkolia picks his way through a pile of black ash and brittle bones - the remains of his latest cow to die of thirst in Narok, western Kenya.This is supposed to be the rainy season. But the rivers in his town are dry. And his wheat fields are brown and bare. "Before this drought, I had 50 cows. Now I have only four," says the farmer."And the ones remaining - you can see they are weak. They need help in the morning, just to stand up. "The water they drink, it comes from Mau forest. But the river is going down." Mr Nkolia is one of hundreds of thousands of farmers in Narok and Kajiado whose cattle have keeled over and died in the heat. About 80% of their livestock have perished this year - forcing farmers to sell off their weak animals for slaughter for as little as 1,000 shillings ($13; £8) per head.

Kenyatta Family Buys Matiba's People Daily

Veteran'politician Kenneth Matiba has sold the People Daily. A firm linked to Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta has bought 20 per cent of the paper. The Kenyattas have also acquired K24 television and Kameme radio owned by Regional Reach Ltd and Regional Broadcasting Ltd of Rose Kimotho. The People Daily and K24 are set to be relocated from their current offices to the I&M building on Kenyatta Avenue. The two will be merged and will take up the office space vacated by the Standard Group. The Standard Group have moved to a new office complex on Mombasa Road. The People is currently edited and published at Union Towers on Moi Avenue while Kameme radio and K24 are at Longonot Place on Kijabe Street. The People newspaper, started in 1992, and the two stations have been transferred to TV Africa Holdings Ltd, a company associated with the Kenyattas. The take over and staff changes will be effected by !he end of October, according~ to sources. A staff meeting is scheduled for today at the People newspaper where details of the changes will be communicated. Matiba founded The People as a weekly newspaper in 1992 but turned it to a daily in 1998. The transfer from the two Kimotho-owned companies to TV Africa Holdings took effect on October 7 2007 according to a transfer of business notice put up in Kenya Times newspaper of August 7. The Matiba family and the Kenyattas as well as Kimotho have remained tight-lipped about the deal.

High in the hills of Kenya's Mau forest, some 20,000 families are facing eviction from their farms - accused of contributing to an ecological disaster which has crippled the country. The authorities are to start the process of removing them any day now. Farmers will be asked to surrender their title deeds for inspection. If their documents are genuine, they have a chance of being resettled or compensated. If not, they will simply be told to go. "We are afraid. Not only me, but all of us here," says Kipkorir Ngeno, a teacher and father of six, from a village known as "Sierra Leone". "They call us squatters - a very bad name. But this is my land. It is not illegal."

Look What's Left In London's Lost And Found!

A samurai sword, a prosthetic arm and a coffin are just some of the bizarre items left behind on the capital's public transport system. The vast treasure chest of weird and wonderful items was unveiled at Transport for London's Lost Property Office. The basement in Baker Street, central London, is celebrating 75 years of collecting items mislaid on overground and tube trains, buses, cabs and coaches. And now they are showcasing the forgotten finds, including a stuffed fox, a puffer fish, a lawnmower, a park bench, WWII gas masks and even a home vasectomy kit. The staff's fears over the contents of the coffin lessened when its "owner" was tracked down, who revealed it was used for theatrical purposes only. In fact, the office enjoys a very successful hit rate at finding the lost items' forgetful friends. LPO's office manager Julie Haley told Sky News Online reuniting two urns of ashes with the relatives of the deceased was "particularly heart-warming". "It was an emotional moment for all of us. Having said that, all items are important to their owners and returning even the smallest of items can make a big difference," she said. A pair of breast implants was also successfully returned. However, the toothless man who came in one day asking for his dentures was less fortunate.

He brought back what he had identified as his own set a few hours later, complaining of "rubbing". Despite that rare, unfortunate mis-match, staff have developed keen detective skills - yards from Sherlock Holmes' stomping ground - over the years to identify matches among the thousands of items. Julie said keeping up with changing styles and times over three quarters of a century has helped. "In the 1960s, the most popular thing we would get was umbrellas. We would get over 90,000 in a typical year," she said. The number handed in today is around 7,000. "We used to get loads and loads of fashionable gloves years ago," Julie added. Obviously now they're not the height of fashion any more." Shelves full of clothing, bags and books remain dominant among the near-200,000 items recovered each year. They have helped to build quite a pricey collection. A quarter of a million pounds worth of luxury watches have been among the office's items which head to charity or auction if not claimed within three months. Julie insisted any personal data left on an item will see it kept permanently though, and she advised the public to always check with them. "I know some people think if they have lost something on public transport they will never get it back," she said. "But I would like to encourage them to give us a call. You never know - we might just have it here." If you see a one-armed, sword-less samurai roaming around the capital, point him in the direction of Baker Street.

The body of  Kenyan man  living in Slough, Berks who jumped into river Thames on Thursday 17th September, 2009 has been released to the family by the coroners.  Mr. Raphael Kabathi Mangae 32, passed away on Thursday 17th September, 2009 after jumping into Thames River at Windsor Thames Bridge. The deceased has been in the UK for several years and he came to study. He is the son of Mr. Faustin Mangae Kabathi and Mrs. Theresa Njeri Mangae who has been living in the US but a now back to Kenya. The deceased is a nephew to Mr. John Gaitho Gichu of Borehamwood, London. Friends and well wishers are meeting for urgent funds to transport the body of Raphael to Kenya at  2 Charlton Close, Slough, Sl1 9HD and also at Woodhouse pub, 230 Woodhouse Road, London N12 0RS as from 7pm to 9pm. Those unable to attend the meetings can send their contributions to the following account number: Natwest Bank, John Gichu Gichu, Account  no. 99001292, Sort Code 602423. For further information please ring John Gaitho Gichu on 07908806036.

The late Raphael Kabathi Mangae

"Let us more and more insist on raising funds of love, of kindness, of understanding, of peace. Money will come if we seek first the Kingdom of God-the rest will be given." - Mother Theresas

SOME OF UK'S NEWSPAPERS

The Sun announces it is backing the Tories, claiming Britain is crying out for change from an exhausted, divided Government and on right The Express says France has admitted it is fighting a losing battle against illegal migrants - and demanded Britain should open its doors to them.

A Kenyan has passed away in Potsdam city near Berlin in Germany.  Death has occurred of the late David Nganga Kamau (DK). For more information contact +49 174 320 7331 -Hear the conversation -   VIDEO FOR MORE INFORMATION

Al-Shaddai Orphans Hope Centre

Pastor Stephen Njau of El-Shaddai Hope Centre, Githunguri, Kenya is in London. The orphans home he is looking after is based at Gathanji Town in Githunguri holding 145 children at the moment. He feeds, cares and educated these children. El-Shaddai Hope Centre was started in January 2003. It is a registered Community Based Organisation with the Government of Kenya registration No. 16427.  The Home was founded by Pastor Stephen M. Njau and his wife Beatrice Wairimu as a non profit making community based organization.  The main constrain in achieving the Homes' Developments and Principal objective which is to fee, cloth, shelter, educate give medical and parental care and spiritual nourishment has been finances. El-Shaddai Hope Centre spends an average of £250 per day on basic needs. The home solely depends on voluntary donations from well wishers and partners who have come to realise about this noble calling.  The other major challenge is the space (land) for the orphanage. Currently the home has rented three different premises within Gathanje village at a reach of 1 kilometre apart.  These houses barely accommodate the children. We have a great need for a central big piece of land. For more information please visit www.ehopecentre.org. His contact in the UK is 07556180457 or Brian 07529411379.

"Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants."  - Tips for a better life.

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The Organising Committee of Paul Mukiri (Blessed) who was Suddenly Deported to Kenya in June 2009,
 
Cordially Invites all his  Friends, Relatives and Well Wishers,
 
to a HARAMBEE  Ceremony to be held on 3rd October 2009 at

Denmark Arms, 381 Barking Road, East Ham, London, E6 1LA from 6.00pm.
  
The Guests of Honour will be:
 
*PASTOR MUHORO - MK                                 *MAMA SHIKO - ILFORD
 *KK - NOTINGHAM                                           *AUTIE MSOO - LONDON
 *SOLOMON WANJEMA - NORTHAMTON      *ROBERT KING'ANG'A - CROYDON
 *ANN WAMBUI - TEXAS, USA                          *PASTOR MWAURA- LONDON 

Blessed are the Merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7
 
Your Presence, Support, Contribution and Prayers will be Highly Appreciated.
 
RSVP: Mr Alex Kamau -07944701204, Pastor Mwaura - 07723076569 or Pastor Wangaruro -07940105578. 

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New Chinese design

Many who use this railway overpass on Mombasa road on the way to the airport and other destinations at General Motors would have their thumbs up for the end of the endless jams that had rocked  this section when the bridge was being built. But there has been concerns over the safety of the island left on the road. According to the site engineer, he said that it is a joint of the old road and the new road. Asked the safety of this design, all he did was to blame the Kenyan driving culture of of being too fast, never had time to read road markings. It has worked well in their country. Asked if he will put road signs to warn motorist? he said his job was to build the road and not put signs. In Kenya we have Road Engineers who should have brought in the ideas of putting the joint in another way. On Sunday night, a driver lost control almost loosing his life after hitting the 'new migingo island'. This weekend being the end month, several drunk drivers might end up wrecking their cars here. Be safe and never change lanes on this bridge otherwise you will be lucky to be alive! - Photo and story by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi, Kenya.

Villages 'wiped out' by tsunami after Samoa quake: report

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 struck off the South Pacific island nation of Samoa on Tuesday, wiping out villages and killing 19 people in the region, reports said.  At least 14 people were reported to have died in American Samoa, and five in Samoa as enormous waves battered the island states, with one witness saying the wall of water had been up to 30 feet (nine metres) high. One local journalist told AFP entire villages had been wiped out in Samoa on the worst-hit south and southwest coasts in an area where thousands of people live. The Samoan capital of Apia was evacuated as authorities scrambled to get thousands of people to higher ground. Witnesses said cars were swept out to sea in American Samoa where buildings were destroyed in what the US congressman for the territory said was a scene of "devastation." The US Geological Survey said an 8.0-magnitude quake struck at 6:48 am (1748 GMT) at a depth of 18 kilometres (11 miles), 195 kilometres south of the Samoan capital Apia. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre initially issued a tsunami alert over a vast swathe of the Pacific, as far as Hawaii, but later withdrew the warning. The centre said waves of up to 1.57 metres (over five feet) above the average sea level had smashed into American Samoa. Eyewitnesses said the waves were much larger.

Boy 'Locked In Wardrobe For Years' Blames Mum

A US mother has been arrested after her 14-year-old son said he was held prisoner for four and a half years - spending most of his time locked in a wardrobe. A security guard called police in Oklahoma City after the malnourished teenager turned up with numerous marks and other signs of abuse. "He was hungry. He was dirty. He had numerous scars on his body. It was very sad," Police Sergeant Gary Knight said. The boy was taken to a hospital to be examined and then put in the custody of the Department of Human Services. Police arrested the boy's mother, LaRhonda Marie McCall, 37, and a friend, 38-year-old Steve Vern Hamilton, over child abuse and neglect allegations. Formal charges have not been filed but both were being held on a £250,000 bond, according to jail records. A police report listed McCall as a pharmaceutical company employee and Hamilton as a cab driver. The boy, wearing only a pair of oversized shorts held up by a belt, walked up to the security guard on Friday. He asked where a police station was located so he could report being abused, according to a police report. The boy claimed scars on his stomach were from where alcohol had been poured on him and set alight. Other scars were from being tied up, hit with an extension cord and choked, he added. "He had scars covering most of his body. They were basically from head to foot," Sgt Knight said. The teenager said he moved to the Oklahoma City area from New Jersey about four and a half years ago, after his mother was released from jail. But, since arriving in Oklahoma state, he had never been to school and spent most of his time locked in a bedroom wardrobe, he said. The boy told police the wardrobe's door was mostly blocked with a stepladder or a bed and that he managed to push it open enough to escape and leave the house.

Elephant attack man in Kenya played dead. A man from West Yorkshire, UK who was gored by an elephant while holidaying in Kenya has described how he played dead to escape the ordeal. Jonathan Sykes, 24, from Cleckheaton, was in a group with a guide when the animal charged at them.  As the elephant caught him he said: "I just dropped and curled up into a ball hoping it would leave me alone".  During the attack the elephant pierced Mr Sykes's leg, causing him to lose five pints of blood.  Mr Sykes and eight others had just arrived at their camp when their guide suggested they should go to look at an elephant which was nearby.  They saw the animal which then disappeared into bushes.  "This noise started behind the bush and it just came running out, just charging out at me basically", Mr Sykes said.  The group fled but the elephant followed Mr Sykes. "It was really strange, lots of decisions were being made in my head really quickly", he said.  "I decided to run off to the side and start zig zagging because with the elephant being larger it can't turn as quick as a human."  Elephants can reach top speeds of about 25mph and Mr Sykes said that after running for around 20m (65ft) the animal caught up with him.  The attack left Mr Sykes needing stitches and walking with crutches although he is expected to make a full recovery.  "I can't blame the elephant for what it's done", he said. "I just won't be going as close to them in the future."

Jonathan Sykes had just arrived at the camp when he was attacked and on right Mr Sykes lost five pints of blood

Sexual abuse amongst children in Kenya continues to be on the rise in the country, two years after the enactment of the Sexual Offences Act.  A report released by CRADLE, a non-governmental organization indicates that cases of sexual abuses remain highest at 73 percent of all reported cases. According to the report, 79 percent of girls between the ages of 13 and 15 years and 21 percent of boys in the same age bracket have been sexually abused.  The report says the most common forms of abuse include defilement, sodomy, incest, sexual assault, child pornography, defilement of mentally impaired children and child sexual exploitation among others. The report further says despite the government's efforts to stamp it out, Female Genital Mutilation continues among children mostly due to cultural persuasions. Early marriages and cohabitation with minors were also cited as a form of sexual violence representing five percent of reported cases. Assistant minister for lands Bifwoli Wakoli cited Nairobi's slum areas as the most affected by the vice, adding that male neighbours and relatives were the most notorious perpetrators of child abuse.  However this does not rule out abuse happening in areas of higher economic standing with the report saying there could be cases that were not reported in a bid to protect the family name especially where the abuse occurred within a family setting. Wakoli urged the government to enhance budgetary allocation towards fighting the vice and put in place a protection system for the victims. Unlike in 2007 when 75 percent of reported sexual abuse cases were from Nairobi, this year only 37 percent were from the city while the remaining were from other parts of the country. Nominated member of parliament, Millie Odhiambo called for reforms in the judiciary to help streamline the handling of cases of child abuse. She urged the government to act decisively to stem international human trafficking, pornography and child labour. The report recommends reforms in law implementation including empowerment of courts and investment in modern methods of gathering evidence on child sexual abuses and proper prosecution of cases. The report also recommends enhancing medico-legal links in cases of sexual violence, monitoring cases of violence and need to enact laws and policies to respond to emerging cases of violence such as cyberspace crimes.

Deep in the jungles of Gujarat state in western India, a forgotten tribe of Africans has quietly lived for the past 1000 years. Little is known about their origins and many now fear their unique heritage may already be lost. - VIDEO

Hundreds of family members, friends and colleagues gathered to bid farewell and remember the life of Gardson Mainge Kamau on Sunday 27th September, 2009 afternoon at the Upendo Baptist Church. Gardson Kamau was found dead in his apartment in Plano, TX a weekend ago. The service began shortly after 3 pm. The Master of Ceremony Mr. Daniel Ndogo kicked off the proceedings giving a rundown of the program. Shortly thereafter, the opening scripture was read by Alice Wanjiru, a friend to Gardson and a neighbor to the deceased. The Eulogy was read by Peter Mwaniki a friend to Gardson. Mwaniki recalled the good times they shared with the deceased as well as Gardson’s signature dishes that he used to lavish them with. He remembered Gardson’s hearty laugh and numerous jokes. Dorothy Manyara, a cousin to the deceased recounted to the mourners the moments leading up to the finding of Gardson’s body. - FULL STORY

Family members for line up for prayers led by Pastor John Mugo and Pastor Jackson Kingori (Neema Gospel Church, Richardson, TX) addressing mourners during the service. Photo by Tony Karanja (Jambonewspot)

The fate of President Jomo Kenyatta’s remains at Parliament Buildings will be determined. The Cabinet is set to approve a policy paper prepared by the Culture and National Heritage Ministry. Kenyatta’s remains have been buried in a crypt inside Parliament since his death on August 22, 1978.  The nature and cost of his interment and the corpse itself, is one of Kenya’s best kept secrets.  The crypt is heavily guarded by military officers and is only open to the media when visiting Heads of State or Kenyatta’s family visit to lay wreaths.  It is not known if the founding president’s corpse is still intact, as reportedly embalmed and preserved, 31 years ago. Heritage PS Jacob ole Miaron told Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), yesterday the mystery will be unearthed. Mr Miaron says the ministry wants the mausoleum bearing Kenyatta’s corpse opened to the public. Apparently, the policy document involves an input from Kenyatta’s family, who want the mausoleum de-linked from the National Assembly."We have prepared a policy document, but it is yet to get Cabinet approval," he told the PAC.

Jomo Kenyatta’s mausolem at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi.

He said the paper proposes public access to the crypt, while addressing sensibilities of the Kenyatta family, who wish his remains are not disturbed. Reports also indicate the ministry wishes to relax military hold on the mausoleum. The PS disclosed the ministry plans a library and museum near the crypt, which will hold Kenyatta’s artifacts, speeches and history. Meanwhile, the PS disclosed they have set aside Sh20 million for a burial ground for Kenyan heroes and heroines. The so-called Heroes Corner is at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi. And the PS admitted ministry officials received excessive allowances for the unveiling of Dedan Kimathi’s statute a few years ago.  Kimathi, who spearheaded the Mau Mau movement, was killed by the British in the mid 1950s, but his remains have not been recovered. Miaron said the officials received Sh197,968 in inflated allowances. - The Standard.

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Tourism minister Najib Balala has said Muslims were "misled" into not supporting President Kibaki in the last General Election. Speaking at a luncheon hosted by Kibaki for Muslim leaders, Balala said Muslims had since realised that Kibaki meant well for them and that they would work with him. The luncheon, at a Nairobi hotel, which was initially supposed to be held at the end of the holy month of Ramadhan, is part of President Kibaki’s administration’s plan to reach out to and endear itself to Muslims. Balala was also said to have assured Kibaki of the support of Muslims for his government. "Muslims have been divided before but now more than ever before we are united and we will back your government," he is reported to have said at the meeting where journalists were not allowed in. Balala was the focal point for Muslims in ODM during the last general election and he vigorously campaigned for his party leader, Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Attempts to get Balala on telephone were unsuccesful as his phone was turned off. - The Standard.

Core blimey - it's the red and green apple

A Golden Delicious apple split perfectly down the middle into red and green is the talk of the town in Colaton Raleigh, Devon, UK. People have been queuing up to take pictures of the rarity grown by Ken Morrish.  'It's absolutely phenomenal,' said the 72-year-old.

Somali militants execute 'spies'

Islamist militants in Somalia have executed two people they accused of spying for foreign organisations. Hundreds watched as a firing squad arranged by the al-Shabab group shot the pair in the capital, Mogadishu. Al-Shabab officials said the men had been found guilty of working for the US CIA and African Union peacekeepers. Analysts say the killings may have been in retaliation for a US raid earlier this month, in which an al-Qaeda suspect is said to have been killed. The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says al-Shabab has carried out amputations and lashings in the past, but this is their first public execution in the city. He says the death sentence was announced and the men were shot almost immediately by 10 masked men. He says an al-Shabab official told reporters before the execution that the men had admitted spying - one for the AU, the other for the CIA.

"Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant." - Tips for a better life.

Nigerian police get help to tackle visa document fraud

The United Kingdom government is helping the police in Nigeria to tackle the use of fraudulent documents in visa applications. Last week the British High Commissioner, Bob Dewar, handed over a document fraud detection machine and vehicle to the Nigeria Police Force's special fraud unit in Lagos. The equipment will improve the police's ability to track down the manufacturers and suppliers of fraudulent documents. The provision of the equipment is part of the British Deputy High Commission's work with the unit to ensure that only legitimate travellers can travel to the United Kingdom. Bob Dewar said: 'We welcome our close partnership with the special fraud unit of the Nigeria Police Force to tackle document fraud. We are keen to strengthen this co-operation even further and hope that the equipment and vehicle that is being provided will allow the Nigeria Police Force to carry out effective and targeted exercises against individuals and groups using fraudulent documents in the visa application process, eventually leading to their prosecution. We are committed to making this partnership a success. 'The message that we want to send out is clear. The UK welcomes legitimate travellers to the UK and those who will benefit the UK through study, business and tourism. But we are equally clear that those who seek to apply for a visa on a fraudulent basis will not be allowed to travel - and could face a ban of up to 10 years for using fraudulent documents.'

Navy seizes cocaine 'worth £240m'

The Royal Navy says it has seized its largest haul of cocaine, with an estimated street value of £240m. The Portsmouth-based frigate HMS Iron Duke seized more than five-and-a-half tonnes of the drug from a 138ft fishing boat off the coast of South America. Royal Navy and US Coast Guard jointly intercepted the boat after it was spotted by a navy helicopter crew.  - VIDEO

A 14-year-old girl has died after being given a cervical cancer jab as part of a national immunisation programme, but the exact cause of death is unknown. The pupil took ill at Blue Coat CofE School in Coventry shortly after she received the Cervarix vaccine. She died in the town's University Hospital. The batch of the vaccine used has been quarantined by the local NHS. The injection offers protection against a sexually transmitted disease, which is linked to most cervical cancers. A routine programme of vaccinating 12- and 13-year-old girls started in September 2008 across the UK using the Cervarix vaccine made by GlaxoSmithKline. A catch-up campaign is now underway for older girls. The injection offers protection against the human papilloma virus (HPV), the most common cause of cervical cancer.

Repossession hotspots revealed in UK

From the onset of the credit crunch, the big worry for everyone has been the issue of repossessions.  The media was full of horror stories about borrowers starting to struggle with their mortgage payments, and unscrupulous lenders giving them no breathing space, immediately opting to begin repossession proceedings (the Government-owned Northern Rock was highlighted as a particular offender ).  To add insult to injury, if you own a property in one of England's "repossesion towns", then your property is more likely to be de-valued by local repossessions.  And now the Government has highlighted just which areas are most at risk of the dreaded R word.  The list has been put together as part of a Government campaign - including ads in newspapers, online and on billboards - to improve awareness of the Government's advice networks on the issue of repossessions. Since April 2008, more than 300,000 homeowners have received help and advice in paying their mortgage. If you are in the West Midlands and the North West, then brace yourselves.

The danger list

Below are the 22 towns identified by the Government as the areas with the highest proportion of homeowners at risk of repossession.

1. Barking and Dagenham

2. Birmingham

3. Bolton

4. Cannock Chase

5. Corby

6. Halton

7. Kingston-upon-Hull

8. Knowsley

9. Liverpool

10. Manchester

11. Newham

12. Northampton

13. Nottingham

14. Reading

15. Redditch

16. Salford

17. Sandwell

18. Sunderland

19. Swindon

20. Walsall

1,700 animals found crammed in car boot

Traffic cops are quizzing a motorist after finding an amazing menagerie of more than 1,700 animals crammed into the boot of his car. The patrol pulled over the zoo on wheels in Bari, Italy, for a routine check and police were astonished when driver Francesco Lombardo opened the hatchback.  Inside were 216 budgies, 300 white mice, 150 hamsters, 30 Japanese squirrels, six chameleons and more than 1,000 terrapins.  Police confiscated the entire bootful and have passed all the animals to nearby zoos while they investigate the driver's links to rare and protected animal smuggling. 'He said he planned to sell the terrapins for 20 Euros each which would have made him a fortune. 'There is no doubt those poor animals were suffering in such a small space,' said one officer.

Thousands of people from the Ukambani region including women with children strapped on their backs spent the night in the cold after their efforts to invade and sub divide a piece of land belonging to the East African Portland Company (EAPC) failed. The people from all corners of Ukambani had Saturday invaded the land on the outskirts of Athi River town amid reports that they were to be allocated pieces of land by their leaders. The invaders who had arrived aboard buses were equipped with cutting and tilling tools ready to mark, fence and till their portions of land ready for planting. However, their attempts were thwarted by a contingent of both regular and administration police officer led by Machakos OCPD Hassan Barua. Police had to shoot in the air and lob tear gas canisters at the charged crowd that was eventually forced back to a patch of land on the roadside where they stayed till nightfall under strict police guard. The irate invaders claimed they been issued with receipts by an organization named Nguli ya Mukamba (Mkamba's trumpet) upon payment of a Ksh 150 registration fee. They claimed the 70 acre piece of land had been bought by the organisation which had asked them to assemble so that they could be allocated pieces of land. Attempts by leaders who included water minister Charity Ngilu and assistant minister for agriculture Gideon Ndambuki to pacify the crowd proved futile.

Squatters

Area MP Wavinya Ndeti said she had no clue on the issue and could not understand how the people had converged in her constituency without informing her. "This land belongs to the East African Portland Company. My constituency has squatters and if there were plans for any settlement on this land then my people would come first," said the angry MP amid heckling from the crowd. She said she had already written to the EAPC asking to be allocated 16,000 acres of land to settle Kathiani squatters in the area and was still waiting for their response.  Her promise to take up the issue with higher authorities was also rebuffed forcing her to leave in a huff. However, the leaders said there was need to follow up the matter through the established administrative channels to find out if the people had been duped. Unconfirmed reports said the invasion was triggered by allegations that Internally Displaced Persons from Rift Valley would be settled in the area. Last week President Kibaki ordered all IDP camps in the country closed and the people settled elsewhere.

The power of mobile money

Mobile phones have transformed lives in the poor world. Mobile money could have just as big an impact

ONCE the toys of rich yuppies, mobile phones have evolved in a few short years to become tools of economic empowerment for the world’s poorest people. These phones compensate for inadequate infrastructure, such as bad roads and slow postal services, allowing information to move more freely, making markets more efficient and unleashing entrepreneurship. All this has a direct impact on economic growth: an extra ten phones per 100 people in a typical developing country boosts GDP growth by 0.8 percentage points, according to the World Bank. More than 4 billion handsets are now in use worldwide, three-quarters of them in the developing world (see our special report). Even in Africa, four in ten people now have a mobile phone.

With such phones now so commonplace, a new opportunity beckons: mobile money, which allows cash to travel as quickly as a text message. Across the developing world, corner shops are where people buy vouchers to top up their calling credit. Mobile-money services allow these small retailers to act rather like bank branches. They can take your cash, and (by sending a special kind of text message) credit it to your mobile-money account. You can then transfer money (again, via text message) to other registered users, who can withdraw it by visiting their own local corner shops. You can even send money to people who are not registered users; they receive a text message with a code that can be redeemed for cash.

By far the most successful example of mobile money is M-PESA, launched in 2007 by Safaricom of Kenya. It now has nearly 7m users—not bad for a country of 38m people, 18.3m of whom have mobile phones. M-PESA first became popular as a way for young, male urban migrants to send money back to their families in the countryside. It is now used to pay for everything from school fees (no need to queue up at the bank every month to hand over a wad of bills) to taxis (drivers like it because they are carrying around less cash). Similar schemes are popular in the Philippines and South Africa.

Banking on it

Extending mobile money to other poor countries, particularly in Africa and Asia, would have a huge impact. It is a faster, cheaper and safer way to transfer money than the alternatives, such as slow, costly transfers via banks and post offices, or handing an envelope of cash to a bus driver. Rather than spend a day travelling by bus to the nearest bank, recipients in rural areas can spend their time doing more productive things. The incomes of Kenyan households using M-PESA have increased by 5-30% since they started mobile banking, according to a recent study.

Mobile money also provides a stepping stone to formal financial services for the billions of people who lack access to savings accounts, credit and insurance. Although for regulatory reasons M-PESA accounts do not pay interest, the service is used by some people as a savings account. Having even a small cushion of savings to fall back on allows people to deal with unexpected expenses, such as medical treatment, without having to sell a cow or take a child out of school. Mobile banking is safer than storing wealth in the form of cattle (which can become diseased and die), gold (which can be stolen), in neighbourhood savings schemes (which may be fraudulent) or by stuffing banknotes into a mattress. In the Maldives many people lost their savings in the tsunami of 2004; it hopes to introduce universal mobile banking next year.

Financial innovation has a bad reputation at the moment, because exotic derivatives were one of the causes of the credit crunch. But mobile money and other new ideas that could help the poor (see article) provide a useful reminder that financial innovation in itself is not always a bad thing.

Given all of its benefits, why is mobile money not more widespread? Its progress has been impeded by banks, which fear that mobile operators will eat their lunch, and by regulators, who worry that mobile-money schemes will be abused by fraudsters and money-launderers. In many countries mobile money has been blocked because operators do not have banking licences and their networks of corner-shop retailers do not meet the strict criteria for formal bank branches. And some mobile-money schemes that have been launched, such as one in Tanzania, failed to catch on. As recently as a year ago people wondered whether M-PESA’s success was a fluke.

Out of Africa, always something new

But in recent months there have been some more hopeful signs. Kenya’s success story has demonstrated mobile money’s potential, and its benefits are starting to be more widely appreciated. More enlightened regulators are no longer insisting that these services meet the rigid rules for formal banking. Some banks, meanwhile, have come to see mobile money not as a threat but as an opportunity, and are teaming up with operators. And phone companies have studied Kenya closely to learn how to establish and market a successful mobile-money scheme. MTN, Africa’s biggest operator, has launched a mobile-money service in Uganda in conjunction with Standard Bank; it appears to be doing well. MTN is fine-tuning its service in Uganda before rolling it out across Africa.

Banks and regulators elsewhere should take note. Instead of lobbying against mobile money, banks should see it as an exciting chance to exploit telecoms firms’ vast retail networks and powerful brands to reach new customers. Tie-ups between banks and operators will help reassure regulators. But they, too, need to be prepared to be more flexible. People who want to sign up for mobile-money services should not, for example, have to jump through all the hoops required to open a bank account. Concerns about money-laundering can be dealt with by imposing limits (typically $100) on the size of mobile-money transactions, and on the maximum balance. And inflexible rules governing the types of establishments where cash can be paid in and taken out ought to be relaxed. Mobile money presents a shining opportunity to start a second wave of mobile-led development across the poor world. Operators, banks and regulators should seize it.

The government says it will intervene after churches and charities campaigned against the so-called 'rain tax', which saw water bills rise as much as 1,300%. Addressing the Labour Party conference, Environment Minister Hilary Benn said water firms would now be able to offer concessions for surface drainage. The legislation will affect England and Wales. Water watchdog Ofwat had advised that charging for drainage was an "environmentally responsible" approach. It had said concessionary charges would be "unduly preferential and unduly discriminatory". Following the Ofwat advice, four companies - Yorkshire, United Utilities, Severn and Northumbria - changed their charging policy, sparking protests from various groups. Churches faced higher bills because the drainage charges are based on the total surface area of their roofs, which governs how much rainwater has to be drained away into sewers. Ofwat says the cost of providing surface water drainage in England and Wales is about £700m every year, and everyone needs to pay their share. But the policy has led to some not-for-profit groups paying considerably more than commercial buildings - like shops and factories.

The local Internet scene could be headed for major realignments as South Africa’s largest fixed-line phone operator, Telkom, silently sneaks into a territory it has long been yearning for.  A complex web of share-purchase transactions among telecom operators in Africa’s richest nation, has ended up with the acquisition of a local satellite data transmission services company, Afsat Communications Limited. - MORE

Milton Mbhele showed up for his wedding on Saturday in a white limousine -- with four brides.  The women each received rings and a kiss from the groom at the ceremony, which was attended by hundreds of people. South African law recognizes traditional polygamous marriages -- even President Jacob Zuma has three wives. Yet while polygamy remains common among several tribes including the Zulus and Swazis, simultaneous weddings are rare. Mbhele (44) a municipal manager in nearby Indaka, said the joint celebration would save money by combining the festivities. A traditional ceremony was planned for Sunday and there is to be a traditional exchange of gifts between the groom and his wives' families on Monday. Mbhele has already been married to Thobile Vilakazi for 12 years and has 11 children, but did not specify who their mothers are. "I want her to be happy," he said of Vilakazi, who was also given a golden wristwatch at Saturday's ceremony. "I think getting married to her for the second time would make her happy since I will be taking in three other wives so this will relieve her in some way." His "middle wives" -- as he described them -- are Zanele Langa and Happiness Mdlolo, both 24. The youngest wife, 23-year-old Smangele Cele, said she was looking forward to marrying Mbhele, even though it means she'll have to share him. She said the wives planned to live separately, with their husband rotating between them. "It is because of the way in which he shows his love for me. He loves me in all ways," she said, adding: "We will not be living in the same house and we take each other as friends." - Sapa-AP

Bridegroom Milton Mbhele, with his four brides, left to right, Happiness, Thobile, Simangele, and Zanele at their western wedding in Weenen, near Ladysmith, South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. South African law recognizes traditional polygamous marriages, even President Jacob Zuma has three wives. Yet while polygamy remains common among several tribes including the Zulus and Swazis, simultaneous weddings are rare. -  VIDEO

The British pound depreciates to its lowest of the year exchanging at KShs. 115.63 in London on Monday 28th Sept. 2009

The online entry registration period for DV-2011 will be October 2 until November 30, 2009.  Form DS-5501 Electronic Diversity Visa (e-DV) Application for online Diversity Visa Lottery entry, is not available now. This official form is available only on the Department State, Diversity Visa online entry website at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ during the online entry registration period. DV-2010 -The online entry registration period for DV-2010 ended December 1, 2008. DV Lottery 2010 Status Check is now available. Entrants (who previously completed online DV entry through the official website at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov) will be able to check the status of their entry through the e-DV website at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov.  Entrants will need to use their own confirmation page information from the time of their entry (October 2, 2008, to December 1, 2008), to check the status to find out if their Diversity Visa Lottery entry was or was not selected.DV-2010 -The online entry registration period for DV-2010 ended December 1, 2008. DV Lottery 2010 Status Check is now available. Entrants (who previously completed online DV entry through the official website at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov) will be able to check the status of their entry through the e-DV website at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov.  Entrants will need to use their own confirmation page information from the time of their entry (October 2, 2008, to December 1, 2008), to check the status to find out if their Diversity Visa Lottery entry was or was not selected.

Matatu crew caught off-guard by police resolve on Michuki rules

After a three-year spell of madness in the transport sector, a familiar wind of change seems to be blowing onto the roads.  Crackdowns on unroadworthy vehicles countrywide are back, as traffic police seeks to ensure compliance with traffic rules introduced by then Transport Minister John Michuki in 2004. Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere has hit the ground running. After taking over office early this month, he ordered police to crack the whip on errant matatu drivers and other private vehicle owners who flout traffic regulations. And statistics from Traffic Police headquarters on the number of matatus and their crews nabbed since the crackdown started on September 16 are show the intensity of the police swoops. In the first eight days, 6,503 vehicles-including motorbikes, had been seized alongside 7,082 drivers, 4,255 conductors, 2,028 passengers and 1,509 touts. In total, 32,634 violation cases had been recorded and a whopping Sh22.5 million raised in fines. But will this law enforcement last, or is it just another eye-blinding affair? Traffic Commandant Aggrey Adoli says this is just the onset of a new era that will see sanity return to the roads. Speaking to The Standard on Sunday, Adoli reveals matatus will not only be targeted over speed governors, safety belts, uniforms, badges, overloading and playing loud music. "We have matatus in Buru Buru and Eastleigh routes that are showing pornographic material behind tinted windows. We will have a team to deal with them since this is unacceptable," the commandant states. He says police operations along highways such as Mombasa and Thika roads will be taking place daily, while crackdowns on other routes will be random. Adoli acknowledges the fact that most crews have been outsmarting police officers by using different routes or keeping off the roads altogether to avoid arrests. But he promises a different scenario this time. "We have come up with a plan to even use private vehicles working under cover so we can get them flatfooted," he says.  Adoli is enjoying a new lease of life after Iteere ordered that all traffic police officers operate under the Traffic Commandant, unlike in the past when they were operating under districts and provincial police chiefs.

Public support

The commandant lauds the public, saying wananchi have been supportive. "It is obvious passengers are ready to walk for the sake of sanity. They are tired of nursing people wounded in accidents and being treated inhumanly, and we will use the positive gesture from the public to offer quality service," he says.  And surprisingly, the Matau Owners Association (MOA) are supporting the police crackdowns, although expressing fears the exercise could just be an avenue to earn Government revenue. It has also expressed worries with the way the operations are executed. Simon Kimutai, the MOA chairman, says by seizing unroadworthy vehicles, the police are doing their work. But he expresses fury over the move by the police to pluck out number pates of seized vehicles, also claiming that money has been illegally changing hands during arrests. According to the police, all the number plates plucked out from the vehicles are being returned to the Kenya Revenue Authority and will only be released when owners comply with the rules. Kimutai defends drivers over their move to drop passengers halfway through journeys to escape arrest, saying this has been generated by victimisation of innocent crew. After a three-year spell of madness in the transport sector, a familiar wind of change seems to be blowing onto the roads.  Crackdowns on unroadworthy vehicles countrywide are back, as traffic police seeks to ensure compliance with traffic rules introduced by then Transport Minister John Michuki in 2004. New Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere has hit the ground running. After taking over office early this month, he ordered police to crack the whip on errant matatu drivers and other private vehicle owners who flout traffic regulations.

And statistics from Traffic Police headquarters on the number of matatus and their crews nabbed since the crackdown started on September 16 are show the intensity of the police swoops. In the first eight days, 6,503 vehicles-including motorbikes, had been seized alongside 7,082 drivers, 4,255 conductors, 2,028 passengers and 1,509 touts. In total, 32,634 violation cases had been recorded and a whopping Sh22.5 million raised in fines. But will this law enforcement last, or is it just another eye-blinding affair? Traffic Commandant Aggrey Adoli says this is just the onset of a new era that will see sanity return to the roads. Speaking to The Standard on Sunday, Adoli reveals matatus will not only be targeted over speed governors, safety belts, uniforms, badges, overloading and playing loud music. "We have matatus in Buru Buru and Eastleigh routes that are showing pornographic material behind tinted windows. We will have a team to deal with them since this is unacceptable," the commandant states. He says police operations along highways such as Mombasa and Thika roads will be taking place daily, while crackdowns on other routes will be random. Adoli acknowledges the fact that most crews have been outsmarting police officers by using different routes or keeping off the roads altogether to avoid arrests. But he promises a different scenario this time. "We have come up with a plan to even use private vehicles working under cover so we can get them flatfooted," he says.  Adoli is enjoying a new lease of life after Iteere ordered that all traffic police officers operate under the Traffic Commandant, unlike in the past when they were operating under districts and provincial police chiefs.

Public support

The commandant lauds the public, saying wananchi have been supportive. "It is obvious passengers are ready to walk for the sake of sanity. They are tired of nursing people wounded in accidents and being treated inhumanly, and we will use the positive gesture from the public to offer quality service," he says.  And surprisingly, the Matau Owners Association (MOA) are supporting the police crackdowns, although expressing fears the exercise could just be an avenue to earn Government revenue. It has also expressed worries with the way the operations are executed. Simon Kimutai, the MOA chairman, says by seizing unroadworthy vehicles, the police are doing their work. But he expresses fury over the move by the police to pluck out number pates of seized vehicles, also claiming that money has been illegally changing hands during arrests. According to the police, all the number plates plucked out from the vehicles are being returned to the Kenya Revenue Authority and will only be released when owners comply with the rules. Kimutai defends drivers over their move to drop passengers halfway through journeys to escape arrest, saying this has been generated by victimisation of innocent crew. - Sunday Standard.

Mr. Leonard Boiyo, the First Secretary at the Kenya High Commission is leaving UK for Kenya next week after four years service in London. Mr. Boiyo has extended his appreciation to the Kenyan community in UK and Ireland. Mr. Boiyo had this to say: "My tour of duty at the Kenya High Commission in London has finally come to an end; and I shall be returning to Nairobi towards the end of this month to take up new responsibilities. It has been my pleasure knowing you and interacting with you through this medium and other fora over the the last four years. I wish you the very best in your pursuits in the United Kingdom and elsewhere; and hope you will keep on engaging closely with the Kenya High Commission. God bless."  Leonard Boiyo, First Secretary, Kenya High Commission. Three other senior staffs have arrived at the London High Commission offices including Miss Wanja Michuki who is becoming Deputy High Commissioner in London. Full story later.

Mr. Leonard Boiyo going back to Kenya after four year's service

COMING SOON! A KENYAN

SOLICITORS FIRM IN UK

Reliable sources have confirmed that Rose Muigai who previously worked at R C HALL SOLICITORS in Tottenham, North London is opening a Solicitors office in Hounslow, West London. Rose has been on maternity leave since January this year. More details to follow.

Being admitted to The Law Society of United Kingdom

It was a joyous moment for the Mrs. Rose Macharia for Rose Muigai and family when they joined hands at the admission ceremony at Chancery Lane, London on Friday 22nd May, 2009. Rose was admitted to the Law Society of the United Kingdom. The colourful ceremony was attended by the entire family - her father Mr. David Muigai, father-in-law Mr. Mungai, her husband Mr. Macharia, her two children, cousins and friends. Rose can now operate officially as solicitor in the UK. The journey started seven years ago when she joined Thames Valley University to study law. After three years of learning she joined Law Practice Course (LPC) for a year before going for a two-year practising with a law firm. Rose (left) seen being admitted into the Law Society and on right photo - Left-right: Mr. Mungai, Mr. David Muigai, Rose and her two sons and Godfrey Miring'u, Njoki and Mr. Macharia the husband of Rose. While addressing the ceremony the President of the Law society Mr. Paul Marsh told them that Integrity takes years to build but it takes seconds to destroy.

Relations between Kenya and America appeared to take a dramatic twist on Saturday night after President Kibaki wrote a protest note to President Obama over recent warnings issued to Kenyan officials whom the US accuses of blocking reforms. President Kibaki accused the American Government of breaching protocol and expressed “displeasure and concern” about the action. US authorities remained tight lipped over the letter with Ambassador Michael Ranneberger telling the Sunday Nation he would not respond and that a reply would come from Washington. - MORE

Baroness 'did not see passport

The former housekeeper to Attorney General Baroness Scotland has claimed the peer never asked to see her passport before giving her a job. Speaking exclusively to the Mail on Sunday, Loloahi Tapui, an illegal immigrant from Tonga, claimed she was given work after a 10-minute interview. Baroness Scotland - fined last week for failing to take copies of Ms Tapui's documents - insists she saw a passport. The Tories say the row has rendered her position "completely untenable". Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling said: "The Home Office rushed through an investigation without listening to all the evidence, and the prime minister exonerated Lady Scotland before the housekeeper had even been questioned. "This is increasingly looking like an attempted whitewash that has gone badly wrong." Ms Tapui's interview was brokered by publicist Max Clifford.

'I'm illegal'

In it, the 27-year-old insists a passport - reported to contain a forged and out-of-date visa - found in her West London home during a raid by UK Border Agency officials is the only one she possesses. She says she has been in Britain illegally for five years, since her student visa ran out, and is prepared to take a lie-detector test to prove she is telling the truth. "I do not understand why [Baroness Scotland] said that she saw my passport because I know I'm illegal," she tells the Mail on Sunday. However, in a statement, the Attorney General said: "I was shown all relevant documents - a P45, National Insurance details, a marriage certificate, a letter from the Home Office, references and a passport - by Ms Tapui during her job interviews." A Downing Street source added that the case had been thoroughly investigated by the UK Border Agency, which found "the employer took steps to check documents provided to her as proof of right to work in the UK".

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Japan extends to Kenya JPNY1,000,000,000 Approx Kshs.830 million‏

The government of Japan on Thursday 24th September, 2009  extended to the Government of the Republic of Kenya a grant assistance amounting to one billion Japanese yen approximately 830 million Kenya shillings for Non Project Grant Aid for Fiscal Year 2009. The exchange of notes was signed today between Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, Minister for Finance and Deputy Prime Minister and His Excellency Shigeo Iwatani, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Kenya. The Non Project Grant Aid (NPGA) is a budget support from the Government of Japan intended to promote economic structural adjustment efforts by the government of Kenya and also mitigate economic difficulties. Under this program, Japan provides foreign currency to the Government of Kenya for importing raw and processed materials or machineries, essential for the restructuring of Kenya's economy. The counterpart funds, which are derived from the sale of these imported goods in the domestic market, are then utilized for development activities in such sectors as health, infrastructure, trade, agricultural and human resource development. Over the last five years, Japan has provided Non Project Grant Aid amounting to 5.1 billion Yen, approximately 4.2 billion Kenya Shillings. Photo and story by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi, Kenya.

10 things we didn't know last week

1. Banana skins can take two years to biodegrade.
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2. The longest speech at the United Nations lasted almost eight hours.
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3. Brazil always speaks first at the UN General Assembly, according to long-standing protocol, and is followed by the host country.
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4. Jay-Z has Barack Obama's mobile phone number.
More details

5. Swine flu gel can get you drunk.
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6. British heroin comes from Hampshire.
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7. Michael Gambon, star of the Harry Potter films, has never read any of the books.
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8. The only woman ever in the French Foreign Legion is British.
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9. Ceefax was created by accident.
More details

10. Fifteen Billy bookcases are made every minute.
More details

A new book based on taped interviews with Michael Jackson reveals the star thought he looked like "a lizard" and "didn't want to grow old". The Michael Jackson Tapes, written by the star's former adviser Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, provides first-hand detail about the reclusive singer's life. In one conversation, Jackson says: "I don't want to grow old. I never want to look in the mirror and see that." The star died in June, aged 50. His death is being treated as homicide.

Doctors in UK 'must report knife crime'

Doctors will be told to report knife injuries to the police and can pass on the patient's personal information, according to new guidelines. The advice from the General Medical Council (GMC), which will be launched on Monday, says even cases involving children with apparently accidental cuts should be reported. Currently, medics are only required to pass on details of gunshot wounds. Doctors will be told to report knife injuries to the police and can pass on the patient's personal information, according to new guidelines. The advice from the General Medical Council (GMC), which will be launched on Monday, says even cases involving children with apparently accidental cuts should be reported. Currently, medics are only required to pass on details of gunshot wounds. The guidelines also say that patients with inherited conditions who want to keep their condition secret can be overruled. Doctors could tell relatives about possible risk, for example from certain types of cancer, regardless of the patient's wishes. Dr Henrietta Campbell, who chaired the GMC's working group on the confidentiality report said: "Confidentiality is central to trust between patients and doctors, but it is still an area of ethics which continues to challenge doctors more than any other. "We are not asking doctors to force patients to speak to the police, but we are asking them to pass on information which will help the police to help protect patients, the public and staff from risks of serious harm." The guidance requires doctors to ask patients whether they will talk to the police and warn them of the possible consequences of staying quiet. If staff think a serious crime has been committed or they are at risk they may give confidential information to police. Other patients who refuse to pass on details of serious genetic conditions could have their wishes ignored. The advice also covers areas including telling the DVLA if a patient might not be fit to drive, responding to public criticism of treatment and giving information relating to benefit claims. Confidentiality was drawn up after a three-month consultation involving members of the public and doctors. The guidelines comes into effect on October 12.

The popular Kenyan comedian Churchill and Gospel Musicians Ruth Wamuyu are coming to London in November. They will be guest artists at the IWRM Fundraising Dinner at Royal Legacy Hotel, 501 High Street North, Manor Park on 7th November, 2009. Raffle tickets are on sale now for £5 and the draw will be done on that day. There are amazing prizes to be won including 1st prize round trip Holiday to Kenya for a week, ticket and accommodation included, 2nd prize is a laptop and 3rd prize is an ipod, among other items. For more information please CLICK HERE

Kenyan Comedian Churchill and Gospel musician Ruth Wamuyu

President gives ultimatum for resettlement of IDPs

Written By: PPS, Posted: Fri, Sep 25, 2009

President Mwai Kibaki has ordered the resettlement of all genuine Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within two weeks. The President directed that the ministries of Finance, Special Programmes, Lands, Internal Security and Agriculture should work together and move with speed in ensuring that land is availed for the resettlement exercise. "We should move with speed to resettle the IDPs who are still in camps. This matter has dragged on for too long. We must deal with it and ensure that we do not have persons still living in camps," the Head of State emphasized. The President added: "We also need to help those who are going back to their land to resettle and undertake their farming. I also appeal to all communities to live peacefully and co-exist harmoniously." President Kibaki was speaking Friday at his Harambee House office where he chaired a meeting of the committee overseeing resettlement of IDPS.

During the meeting, it was resolved that all IDP camps should be closed down within two weeks once the IDPs are resettled on the land purchased by the Government.  It was also agreed that the Ministry of Finance should avail adequate funds for the purchase of land for the resettlement programme while the Ministry of Land identifies arable land for the same purpose. In this regard, the Ministry of Internal Security was directed to ensure that no new camps crop up after the genuine IDPs are resettled by the Government. On the other hand, the Ministry of Special Programmes was ordered to continue with the exercise of paying Kshs 25,000 to the integrated IDPs who are accommodated by other families. The committee also agreed that the purchase of land by the Government for the purpose of resettling the IDPs should be conducted in a transparent manner to ensure that Government gets value for its money while the IDPs are resettled on arable land. The meeting was attended by Special Programmes Minister Dr. Naomi Shaban, Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Internal Security Minister Prof. George Saitoti and Lands Minister James Orengo and Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura among others.

Career's Day for youth

It was a youth conference with a difference at IWRM church in London on Saturday 19th September, 2009. It was Career's Day where several professionals were invited to speak to the youth. The conference took place at Manor Park Community Centre, 524 High Street North, Eastham, London and was organised by Pastor Boniface Mbugua of IWRC. Many young people in UK grow up without a vision of what he or she would become in future.  It was on this day that the youth were able to hear from different professionals and they had an opportunity to ask questions. Most of the youths were accompanied by their parents and they were quite excited. The vision of Pastor Boniface is to bring the Kenyan youth in the UK to another level where they will be joining different professions instead of staying at home without a vision. He is organising another conferences which will include youths from other churches. The professionals included policeman, engineers, pharmacists, bankers, dentists, mortgage advisor and the British Army.  For more information or if you would like your son and daughter to attended the next conference please contact Pastor Boniface at 07826854898 or info@iwrm.co.uk

Speakers at the Career Open Day From Left: Dr Muli-Dentist, Anne Kahuria-Vconnected Thurrock Council, Leslie Fesenmyer - Masters Student Oxford University, Margaret Njiiri (Daughter Seed) -Pharmacist Boots Ltd, Ibrahim Chege-British Army, Caroline Gichimu-Banker Barclays Bank, Grace Njenga-Mortgage advisor and conveyance, Engineer Mwaura-Traffic Engineer Redbridge Council.

 Pastor Boniface had this to say: "On behalf of IWRM pastors and leadership, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you, for the great support you have given to us, during the three day conference. We thank the parents for encouraging the youth to attend and also accompanying them to the conference. It was a worthy sacrifice, may God richly bless you. Special thanks to our guest speakers who presented, for their wealth of knowledge, zeal and organized delivery. You really inspired our youth to become. We have had many testimonies from the youth with 8 of them receiving Christ as their Saviour, others opting to join the army after hearing the vast opportunities in the military, and many being inspired to work in various careers.

We will be organizing more conferences and career open days in the future and we would encourage parents to attend as well. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information on our email:info@iwrm.co.uk and we will be happy to assist. Once again, may God bless you all for your prayers, support and contributions." - Pastor Boniface concluded.

The youth enjoyed the day

The untold suffering of Kenya's children

Updated on 24 September 2009

By Jonathan Rugman

Jonathan Rugman reports on the child sex trade plaguing Kenya's pristine white beaches, amid fears that up to 20,000 children are engaged in some form of under-age sex work - often with "muzungus", white men. Kenya's beaches represent the best in tropical paradise, mutually beneficial for both the thousands of Europeans who head there and the locals who thrive from their tourism.  But Kenya's coast has a seedier face - visiting white men who pay children, some as young as three years old, for sex. In a country where ten million people are going hungry, there are fears that this abuse is spiralling. Foreign affairs correspondent Jonathan Rugman journeyed from around the villages of Mombasa, and then onto Mtwapa and Malindi.

Kenya's beaches are the stuff holiday brochures are made of - mile after mile of glistening white sand, kissed by equatorial sun. Tourism is a major money spinner for one of the world's poorest countries, but Kenya's tropical paradise hides a dark secret. We have been on a harrowing journey - from nightclubs where European men pick up 12-year-old Kenyan girls; to an orphanage where children as young as six have found sanctuary after sexual abuse by foreign tourists.  A journey into a world of cruelty and desperation, a world we could scarcely have imagined. And both talking and filming with children brutalised and traumatised by their experiences has not been easy. Our journey began in the nightclubs on the outskirts of Mombasa. Visit the Mtwapa suburb after midnight, and white male European tourists are busy ogling and fondling teenage girls. The teenagers wear high heels, or pay a bribe at the club door to get in. The ultimate prize is a "muzungu " or white man, who will pay for sex five times what a Kenyan labourer can earn in a day.  But the price these girls are paying is nothing less than a stolen childhood.
 

Anastasia says she's 13 now, and has been prostituting herself since she slept with a British tourist at the age of ten, a crime which in Britain would be classed as rape. Her parents couldn't even afford school shoes, so she set out for a better life amid the bright lights of Mombasa. That life is sharing a flat with a fellow prostitute, Leyla, who is 14. And both girls say the number of children involved is growing.  "When I started at the age of 12, I could go into a nightclub, and maybe I can get 10 or 20 girls," Leyla told me.  "At least you could count and say, 'that one and that one, they are prostitutes'. But now there are many, all over the place. Sometimes I get stressed. I ask myself, or God, what I have done wrong? I am still a child and I am doing this." At that point in our interview, Leyla dropped her head in shame. Anastasia was crying.  Three years ago, a study by the UN children's agency UNICEF warned that there were thousands of girls like Leyla.

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We run monthly courses in London.

For more information please contact 0208 5140010.

Massive hike in air fares as BA charges for seat selection

A family of four faces paying up to £160 extra to fly on holiday with British Airways this half-term after the airline announced it will charge customers to guarantee they can sit together. The company, which lost £401 million last year, will make customers pay to reserve specific seats in a bid to improve its dire finances. Those who want to make sure they sit in a group or have a preference for aisle, window or exit seats will be affected. The policy is launched on 7 October, two weeks before half-term begins. People who have already booked tickets on flights leaving after that date will not escape the charges. Choosing a seat will cost £10 per person on a one-way economy flight within Europe, rising to £20 for long-haul economy and premium economy flights and European business flights. That means every economy passenger will have to pay £40 for a specific seat to and from any destination outside Europe. Securing an exit row seat with extra leg room costs £50. Long-haul business travellers without enough frequent-flier miles to have a gold or silver club card will need to pay £60 per one-way flight. First-class passengers are unaffected.

Barack Obama to impose US travel bans on Kenyan political leaders

Tristan McConnell in Nairobi   An opposition supporter during a rally against President Mwai Kibaki's disputed re-election  President Obama has taken unprecedented action against the country of his African ancestors, warning 15 Kenyan officials, including serving ministers, that they will be banned from travelling to the United States unless they accept reforms. A letter signed by Americas top Africa diplomat accuses the Kenyans of blocking measures promised when about 1,500 people were killed in riots following disputed elections in 2007. The reforms were designed to fix the discredited electoral commission, end arbitrary rule, stop human rights abuses by police and the military and halt the corruption with which Kenya has become synonymous. I am writing to inform you that your future relationship with the United States is linked to your support for urgent implementation of the reform agenda as well as opposition to the use of violence, wrote Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.

Announcing the move in Nairobi, the US Ambassador would not reveal the names of the officials nor whether the letters recipients included Mwai Kibaki, the President, and Raila Odinga, the Prime Minister. However, Michael Ranneberger said that the list included ministers, members of Parliament, permanent secretaries, and other prominent officials. The 15 are split almost evenly between the two main parties in the coalition Government, Mr Kibakis Party of National Unity and Mr Odingas Orange Democratic Movement. The letters we have sent, with more to come, will be followed by travel bans in the coming weeks, Mr Ranneberger said. The bans could extend to family members, which will horrify many officials with relatives and children living and studying in the US.

Kenyas 94 ministers and MPs are among the highest paid in the world, taking home around £9,000 a month. Transatlantic shopping trips for MPs and their families are a commonplace luxury far out of reach of ordinary Kenyans, a third of whom live on less than 80p a day. Elsewhere in Africa, the US has imposed travel bans on members of President Mugabes Government in Zimbabwe and Omar al-Bashirs Government in Sudan. Joining such company would be a further blow to Kenyas reputation and mark a low point for a country that had hoped for privileged ties with the Obama Administration based on kinship. In addition, Washington will more closely scrutinise any proposals for Kenya in international financial institutions, said Mr Ranneberger. This could threaten Kenyas access to loans from the likes of the World Bank but the ambassador said that US aid to the country would not be affected.

These letters put people on notice, said Mr Ranneberger. It is in essence no business as usual. Kenya has been high on Washingtons agenda since Mr Obama whose father was Kenyan came to office. Mr Carson has visited Kenya twice this year while Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of State, made it her first stop during her Africa tour in August. Pointedly, however, Mr Obama chose Ghana for his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa, a country which, unlike Kenya, held peaceful and democratic elections recently. In August Mrs Clinton told Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga that the US would act if reforms were not implemented. Mr Ranneberger said that nothing had yet been done. The people we have sent letters to are not thugs, they are not criminals, [but] you cant talk forever. You have to act. Weve been talking to these individuals for a long time and havent seen any action.

Mr Ranneberger said that the letters were a reflection of growing frustration in Washington at the highest levels that despite all the rhetoric and commissions and talk, not much has happened. Last year Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-General, brokered a peace deal between Mr Odinga and Mr Kibaki, brought an end to the politically-incited killings and inaugurated a power-sharing government. As part of the deal, a schedule of constitutional, electoral, judicial, security, land and economic reforms was laid out and a domestic tribunal was to be established to judge those most responsible for organising the violence. The International Criminal Court in The Hague promised to start an investigation if moves were not made towards setting up a local tribunal and earlier this week Kenya admitted that it would fail to meet the September 30 deadline set by Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the chief prosecutor. Mr Ranneberger said that justice was a key element of reforms: Seeking to bring about reform goes against 45 years of the culture of impunity.

Woman Falls Pregnant While Already Pregnant

A US woman has stunned doctors by achieving a rare medical marvel - falling pregnant while pregnant. Julia Grovenburg and her husband Todd were shocked to learn she would be giving birth to two babies, but not twins. The couple attended an ultrasound appointment believing Mrs Grovenburg was just over eight weeks pregnant. But the scan showed two babies, separated by two-and-a-half weeks - with one clearly more developed than the other. "[When] she said, 'and baby number two has got a healthy little heartbeat,' - I just started gagging," Mrs Grovenburg told broadcaster KFSM-TV in Arkansas. "[We were] both in shock," her husband added. He went on: "We were trying to put the timelines together and everything. "We had known she had had a migraine and been at the hospital and actually had a pregnancy test at the time that one would've been conceived..." His wife continued: "We feel blessed to have something so rare and as of this point they're perfectly healthy." Doctors suspect an extraordinarily uncommon situation called superfetation, which means conceiving when already pregnant.

Patrick O'Brien, consulting obstetrician and spokesman for Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), told Sky News Online only one case a year is reported worldwide. "It's a rare thing because when you conceive, your hormones change dramatically," he said. "Those changes stop you ovulating and they stop you conceiving." Tests will be performed when the babies are born to ascertain what happened. But Dr O'Brien added that the Grovenburg's may not ever know for sure, because in their case the tests could not rule out twins. "It's hard to be certain sometimes because a woman could be having non-identical twins that are markedly different in size from early in a pregnancy," he said. "If there's a big size difference between the twins, the first suspicion is that one is not developing as well." Superfetation became a more accurate suspicion when the babies appeared to be more than two weeks apart, he added. If the family's situation was not astonishing enough, the babies are officially due in different years - at the end of 2009 and start of 2010. However, the pair - already named as Jillian and Hudson - were expected to be born together, either naturally or by caesarean section, in December.

A Kenyan man living in Slough, Berks, has passed away in the UK. Mr. Raphael Kabathi Mangae 32, passed away on Thursday 17th September, 2009 after jumping into Thames River at Windsor Thames Bridge. The deceased has been in the UK for several years and he came to study. He is the son of Mr. Faustin Mangae Kabathi and Mrs. Theresa Njeri Mangae who has been living in the US but a now back to Kenya. The deceased is nephew to Mr. John Gichu Gaitho of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. Thames Valley Police and Kenya High Commission in UK have been trying to trace the family in vain and it was not until Kenya embassy contacted Mr. Seed on Thursday 24th September, 2009 that it took us few hours to trace the family.  The man was seen jumping into the river by a passer-by who tried in vain  to help the man with  other people. They alerted the police and the police fetched the body out of water. The body is now with the coroners awaiting identification. Windsor Bridge or Windsor Town Bridge, is a road bridge over the River Thames between the towns of Windsor and Eton in the English county of Berkshire. It now only carries pedestrian and cycle traffic, and crosses the Thames just above Romney Lock. - CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE BRIDGE

The Windsor Bridge where the man decided to terminate his life

"Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. " - Tips for a better life.

Top names in US visa ban list

The US government on Thursday threatened to impose a visa ban on 15 top government officials and block aid to the country. The officials have received letters from the US government applying pressure on them to back reforms and renounce violence. Civil service boss Francis Muthaura, Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta and Cabinet Ministers William Ruto, Franklin Bett and Mutula Kilonzo have been given letters from President Barack Obama’s Africa advisor, Mr Johnnie Carson. Although the US government did not disclose the names of those facing sanctions, the Nation learnt that they also included joint chief whips George Thuo and Jakoyo Midiwo, Environment Minister John Michuki and Internal Security Minister George Saitoti. - MORE

The Kenya Shillings appreciates as the exchange in London goes down to KShs. 116.26 against the pound (Friday 25th Sept. 2009)

Roll-out of foreign national identity cards speeds up

Home Office, 24 September 2009

Skilled migrants renewing their visas to stay in the United Kingdom will be issued with an identity card from the new year, three months ahead of schedule, Home Secretary Alan Johnson announced today. From January 2010, skilled foreign workers under Tier 2 of the points-based system will be issued with identity cards. This brings the roll-out forward from April 2010 and will add around 30,000 foreign nationals a year to those currently being issued with identity cards. Since their introduction, 90,000 cards have been issued, mainly to students renewing their visa under Tier 4 of the points-based system and those renewing marriage visas. Today's announcement means that, in addition to accelerating the roll-out to include foreign nationals in the United Kingdom who renew their right to stay under Tier 2, the government has exceeded its target of issuing 75,000 cards by November 2009. The UK Border Agency is also to trial technology at 17 Crown post offices to provide foreign nationals applying for identity cards with alternative and more accessible venues where they can enrol their fingerprints. The trials will start rolling out from October.

The Home Secretary said:

'Identity cards have been issued to 90,000 foreign nationals, exceeding our target by 15,000, a month ahead of schedule.

'By speeding up the roll-out of the cards, more people will benefit from a secure and simple way to prove they are entitled to live, work or study here and it will prevent those here illegally from benefiting from the privileges of Britain.

'Our partnership with the Post Office will provide vital extra capacity enabling the UK Border Agency to further speed up the enrolment process and give extra work to help safeguard the Post Office network. It will also give more choice and convenience to migrants about where they can enrol.'

Identity cards for foreign nationals who come to the United Kingdom from outside the European Economic Area were introduced in November 2008. Migrants are required to have their photograph and fingerprints taken, securely locking them to one identity and helping them to prove their right to live and work in the United Kingdom - while helping businesses to crack down on illegal working. The introduction of the identity cards for skilled migrants and temporary workers under Tiers 1 and 5 of the points-based system will also be brought forward, from 2011 to 2010. From October, foreign nationals who are being issued with identity cards will be given the choice of providing their fingerprints and photograph at one of the participating Crown post offices (for a fee of £8) or at one of the UK Border Agency or Identity & Passport Service Offices currently included within the scheme (which will remain free). The Post Office will not be making decisions on whether someone can stay in the United Kingdom, and detailed checking of enrolment details will continue to be conducted by the UK Border Agency. The post office trial provides extra capacity for the UK Border Agency and gives customers an alternative for enrolment.

Alan Cook, managing director of the Post Office, said:

'The Post Office is very pleased to be supporting this trial, as our reputation for trust and the unparalleled reach of our network means we can offer secure and efficient transfer of personal data while the potential for earning additional income would help support and sustain the nationwide branch network.'

Regulations setting out the next stage of the roll-out of identity cards for foreign nationals will be laid in Parliament in October. For more information, see the Identity cards for foreign nationals section of this website.

It was a rare moment for Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who met United States President Barack Obama twice in New York. On the left is Mrs Ida Odinga and US First Lady Michelle Obama during a photo op at the Metropolitan Museum in New York on Wednesday. [PHOTO: Lawrence Jackson/ Official White House]

Hindus give dying livestock food

The Hindu community has moved to save thousands of livestock belonging to Maasai herdsmen. The community, through the Hindu Council of Kenya, is feeding and watering more than 10,000 cows at different stockyards near Nairobi and Athi River. According to a member of the council Vaghji Kerai, the community has spent hundreds of thousands to buy food and drugs for the animals. "We feed the animals on hay, fresh cabbages, sugar cane leaves and molasses in addition to giving them water in four boozers," said Kerai. He said there were 4,000 animals at Orbit quarry near Syokimau, 2,000 near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, 1,500 next to the Wilson Airport and 2,000 at Manji Vai Farm in Isinya, Kajiado. The stockyards are a complete opposite of what is happening at the Portland ranch, where animals belonging to the KMC are perishing while awaiting to be slaughtered. Close to 2,000 animals bought by the Government from farmers under the off-take programme have died at the yard. Livestock Minister Mohammed Kuti says the Government had decided to buy the dying animals to shoulder the loss on behalf of the farmers. He has regretted the deaths, but described the scene as a replica of what was happening in other parts of the country. The Maasai herders’ vice chairman Simare Lemaron says his father’s more than 100 cows are out of danger since they started getting the rations. "I started my journey to search for pasture and water for livestock two months ago after losing 30 cows," Mr Lemaron from Loitoktok, said. Speaking to The Standard, the herder thanked the Hindu community for coming to their aid saying: "I do not know what I would have done for a living had all the cows perished." Mr Robert Sekedu, a herdsman from Kajiado who had lost 150 cows, was full of praise for the donors. "They heard and saw our animals suffering and came to our rescue. May God bless the Hindu community," he added.  The donors asked other well wishers to help the suffering herders.  - The Standard.

Former President Daniel Arap Moi with officials of Kenya Society of Mentally Handicapped led by Zipporah Kittony (second right) at Kabarak Gardens, Nairobi on Thursday 24th September, 2009. Retired President Moi has urged Kenyans to assist the 3.5million mentally disabled people. Moi regretted that people suffering from mental disability are often locked up and chained by their families due to shame. "We must give them support and ensure it is sustainable. Each individual needs a carer when his or her families go to work," he said. Moi announced he has dedicated the forthcoming Moi Day to a 10km charity walk in support of the establishment of Carers Fund for the disabled. Through the fund, mentally disabled will receive Sh4,500 per month for the rest of their lives. The money will also pay for their therapeutic support. The Standard.

Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed it is to close one of its plants in the West Midlands in the long term. The closure will not take place in the near future but raises fears of job cuts as the company restructures its operations. The firm is set to decide next year whether to close its Jaguar factory at Castle Bromwich or its Range Rover site at Solihull. JLR said in a statement: "As the company reduces engineering complexity for its new product range, West Midlands manufacturing will transfer from two plants to one by the middle of the next decade, improving efficiency and cost." On a positive note, JLR plans to build its Land Rover LRX model at its Halewood site on Merseyside, creating 800 positions there. The carmaker says there will be no compulsory redundancies and disputes the inevitability of net job losses caused by the changes.

Seven arrested in trafficking investigation

Home Office, 24 September 2009

Seven people have been arrested as part of a major investigation into a suspected trafficking gang. UK Border Agency officers, along with officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Human Smuggling Unit, carried out a series of early morning raids across west London on Wednesday 23 September. Addresses in Hounslow, Southall. Isleworth and Feltham were targeted.

We believe that we have disrupted a significant international organised criminal network, which aimed to assist people to enter the UK illegally. Philip Astle, the UK Border Agency's Heathrow Director

Seven men, all British nationals aged between 34 and 67, were arrested on suspicion of facilitating a breach of the immigration laws. IT equipment was seized from a number of addresses, and will now be examined. A substantial quantity of cash was also recovered. The raids follow a nine month investigation into the suspected facilitation of around a dozen Afghans into Heathrow Airport. In each case the subjects arrived into the United Kingdom without passports and claimed asylum. A number of other attempts to enter the United Kingdom by the same method were intercepted abroad.

Philip Astle, the UK Border Agency's Heathrow Director said: 'We believe that we have disrupted a significant international organised criminal network, which aimed to assist people to enter the UK illegally. 'Today's operation is the result of an extensive investigation involving both the UK Border Agency and Metropolitan Police. That investigation continues. 'The UK Border Agency has had significant success in disrupting trafficking activity. Working with our law enforcement partners we are determined to create a hostile environment for organised criminals who prey on vulnerable immigrants, and take action against those who break the law.' Those arrested are now being questioned at a police station in west London. Today's operation was led by the UK Border Agency's Heathrow Immigration Prosecution Unit (HIPU). HIPU works with the Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service to investigate, arrest and prosecute immigration offenders. Between April 2008 and April 2009 they carried out 280 arrests, and gained 273 convictions. It is estimated that three-quarters of illegal immigration is associated with organised crime. Through close working with police, the UK Border Agency is working to identify and disrupt organised immigration crime including human trafficking, fraud and forgery.

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

The organising committee of

New Hope Orphans Children Home

Cordially invites

 ALL WELL WISHERS

To a fundraising in aid of  New Hope Orphan Children’s Home on

Sunday 27th September, 2009 at Manor Park Community Centre, 524 High Street North,

London, Eastham, E12 6QN as from 3.30 p.m.

Your attendance or contribution will be high appreciated.

Contact  - Mrs. Anne Chege Tel: 0794 7883505.

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

New Hope Orphans Centre in Kenya - Updates

Mrs. Anne Chege and her daughter Catherine Njeri in London on Sunday 23rd August, 2009

- Her contact while in the UK is 07947883505 or email: newhopechildren@mail.com

1. NEW HOPE CENTRE-Uplands, Kenya.

 Home is run by Mr & Mrs Chege, both retired bankers. They both live inside the Orphanage as volunteers, assisted by 12 staff. The current population is 140 children, 90 girls and 50 boys. We have additional 60 external children, who we assist with School Fees, and sometimes food. They live with their relatives. The children attend different schools in the local community, some in High School, Primary and Nursery School. We have a few who stay at home, as they have not attained the school going age.

At New Hope, we now have electricity, and running water from our bore-hole, PRAISE GOD.

The photo of New Hope.

2. HIGHER LEARNING.

  Three girls have already completed University, courtesy CALVARY CHARISMATIC BAPTIST CHURCH.

The 3 are currently working.

We have now 11 at University, three of whom are sponsored by CALVARY CHURCH.

3. OUTREACH MINISTRY

  Every Saturday, we give food to the hungry neighbours, mostly very old people. We supply maize flour, sometimes with cooking fat, salt, soap---etc. The quantity depends on availability of funds. We manage to reach 50 families only, although the number has drastically increased. I have been forced to turn some away empty handed------a very painful experience.

Occasionally, we give clothes when available.

Photo of such families---- WANGUI came from Nyeri, with starving kids. She wanted to abandon them somewhere----we asked her to stay with us.

4. GRANDMOTHERS' VILLAGE ( Valerie's Village).

Last year, we purchased 1 acre plot for grandmothers, where we constructed 12 houses.

The grannies were from the roadside, or along the railway live, where they had been given notices of eviction. In front of each house, an empty portion of land, where they use for farming, or their grand children can put up houses. We gave them completely, for their generations----downwards until the return of the Lord.

Each house has 3 rooms, a separate kitchen, and a water tank for harvesting rain water.

They entered the new houses on 28th Feb 2009, with prayers from many local churches. One granny commented------'This is our Canaan, the Promised Land----I now believe I will see the New Jerusalem---'

Photos of old houses, and new house..

5. OUR NEEDS AND PROJECTS.

  (a). General. You may help us in general for our upkeep. Everything has been very expensive, especially food.

 (b). Sponsor kids in High School, either at New Hope or external. Day School Fees, £100 per year, boarding £ 250 per year payable in 3 instalments.

  (c). Sponsor University Students, £ 1000 per year, payable twice. Partial sponsorship is welcome.

        Photos to follow.

  (d). Support a starving family. Monthly £10 will support a family for 1 month.

  (e). We have found 1.25acres land, for Kshs 1million. We intend to settle 15 homeless families in 2010. Kindly contribute towards this fund.

      You can also fund construction of 1 house---either partial or whole.

SEEKING FOR SPONSORSHIP

1. Dennis Muchiri-----a total orphan without both parents. He comes from MPEKETONI in Mombasa. Denis was admitted to Kenyatta University in 2008, for teaching course, but lacked money to go. He has been at home ever since, waiting upon God. Kindly help, partially or whole. I have his admission papers, and other details.

2. Yvonne Nyambura and Melvin Waweru, brother and sister, both from Eldoret where they suffered tribal clashes violence. Their dad died, their mum is jobless, and has been unable to take them to Uni. Kindly assist.

THANKS.

Special tribute to everyone who have helped us at New Hope, in any way. Even those who ever prayed for us, am truly grateful. Could be, your prayers upheld me----on that day when I felt discouraged, when I felt weak and unable to pray, when my soul was so downcast-----your prayers upheld me. Kindly continue.

To you all, this is your portion;

'BLESSED IS HE WHO HAS REGARD FOR THE WEAK, THE LORD DELIVERS HIM IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. THE LORD WILL PROTECT HIM AND PRESERVE HIS LIFE, HE WILL BLESS HIM IN THE LAND AND NOT SURRENDER HIM TO THE DESIRES OF HIS FOES. THE LORD WILL SUSTAIN HIM IN HIS SICK BED

AND RESTORE HIM FROM HIS BED OF ILLNESS.' Psalms 41;1-3

                                 and

' THOSE WHO SAW IN TEARS WILL REAP IN SONGS OF JOY, HE WHO GOES OUT WEEPING CARRYING SEEDS TO SOW, WILL RETURN WITH SONGS OF JOY,  CARRYING SHEAVES WITH HIM' Psalms 126;5-6.

PHOTOS FOR SOME KIDS AT NEW HOPE;

- twins MBUGUA AND KARANJA, 4 yrs old, total orphans----their sister Lillian, who had left school, to take care of the twins.

Lillian is now in School, class 6.

- Our girls' foot-ball team.

- David and his sister Beatrice.

Lastly, whatever is happening at New Hope in as little at the 'drop of water' in the ocean. There is so much to be done----the journey is long.

May the name of the Lord be Glorified. I urge you all to forget me or my husband and family, as we are only vessels used by God, to accomplish His purposes. Honour and thank God, and pray that He will touch more people----the journey is long.

I invite you to a fundraising on Sunday, Sept 27th, August, 2009 at MANOR PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE, 524 HIGH STREET NORTH, LONDON. E12  6QN AS FROM 6.00 P.M. Tel 0208 514 0903.

- David and his sister Beatrice.

BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS.

If you help, our UK bank details; BARCLAYS BANK, sort code 20 92 60, acc no 20984698, name Anne Gathoni Chege.

You may also contribute through our UK Charity representatives,  HAND IN HAND, 3c The Granaries, Reeds Farm Estate, Roxwell Road, CHELMSFORD. CM1 3ST. website; www.hihand.org , email; info@hihand.org. Tel 01245 421177.

Even a small donation will make a huge difference at New Hope----that's how we have arrived where we are today.

My UK Tel 0794 7883505, until end of Sept.

In His service.

Anne Chege.

  (f). Support another children's home who we assist, FOUNTAIN OF LIFE SUPPORT PROGRAMME, JUJA, and Grace Children's Home in Kagwe, Lari Uplands.

I invite everyone coming to Kenya, to visit us, my Tel 0720 240585. We shall facilitate your arrival, once you are in Kenya.

FOR MORE INFO, KINDLY VISIT OUR WEBSITE, www.newhopechildrenscentre.org

The Kenya Government may not meet the September 30 deadline set to create a local tribunal to try perpetrators of post-election mayhem.  As a result Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo has called on International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo to take over, adding that he had the blessings and support of the Cabinet.  "Nobody has asked Mr Ocampo to extend the deadline and his coming in will be a big relief to me because I have lots of work in making of a new Constitution and boundaries review," said Mr Mutula in Naivasha after opening a workshop for Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission yesterday. He said it was impossible to create a tribunal of international standards as directed by ICC within the nine days remaining before the deadline. "Parliament has adjourned without discussing the Imanyara Bill which would have facilitated the formation of a local tribunal," he said. He also dismissed reports by human rights activists that the ICC prosecutor was waiting for an invitation to come into the country for more investigations.  The move paves way for the international court to indict perpetrators of the violence and prosecute them at The Hague.  "We can only arrest suspects of crimes like rape and arson but for crimes against humanity, only the ICC can act on the suspects," he said. - VIDEO - The Standard.

Mr. Jack Owuor passed away in Paramount, California. The late brother Jack Owuor was taken by the Lord suddenly, shockingly and unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 15th, 2009. The prayer of the family is that the body should be transported to Kenya to be buried in the land of his ancestors. - CLICK HERE FOR MORE

KINDLY HELP THIS BOY - DENNIS MUCHIRI.

Am still looking for sponsorship of Dennis, even partial. He urgently requires £ 500 this semester, to enable him start, and NOT loose the chance. He was admitted last year to Kenyatta University, where he wants to become a teacher, the offer was valid for 1 year. Dennis is an orphan, without both parents, and he comes from MPEKETONI in Mombasa. Fees payable is £500 per semester----there are 2 semesters in 1 academic year. – Mrs. Anne Chege, New Hope Orphans Children’s Home. - Her contact while in the UK is 07947883505 or email: newhopechildren@mail.com

A Kenyan Man was found dead in his apartment in Plano TX. Gardson Mainge Kamau’s body was discovered at around 11 pm Saturday night 19th September, 2009 after police broke into his unit after relatives were unable to gain access. According to a relative of the deceased, Mr. Charles Koinange who spoke to Jambonewspot from Garland, Mr. Kamau was found with his groceries in store bags next to him indicating that he had just come from shopping. Kamau, 53, was living by himself in the apartment and had no immediate family here in Dallas. He hailed from Nakuru District. Prior to this discovery, one of Kamau’s cousins, Dorothy had been trying to reach him on phone but he was not returning her phone calls. She dropped by his place and found his car parked outside but knocks on his apartment door went unanswered. Dorothy left a note for him on the door but when she came back, the note was still intact. Dorothy decided to check with other relatives to see whether they had been in touch with him. Most of them had not talked to him during the week but during the enquiries, one of his nieces, Shiru, remembered that she had the key to his apartment. She and other relatives came down and tried to open the door but could not gain access as it was locked from inside. The Police were called in and when they gained access to the apartment, they found the deceased. According to the Police, the state of Mr. Kamau’s body indicated that he might have died three to four days earlier. A neighbour said he was last saw Kamau on Tuesday. According to Mr. Koinange who is the family contact, Mr. Kamau did not have any known health conditions although the Police did say he had a recent doctor’s visit after he complained of chest pains. The doctor is said to have advised him to undergo a stress test. It is not known whether he undertook the test at this point. Initial causes of death according to the Police point to a heart attack. Friends and Family are currently meeting to commence on funeral arrangements. The meetings are being held at : 4001 Mulbery Drive, Garland, TX 75043, Contact Number: Charles Koinange (214) 336-5581. - Source: JamboNewsPot.

"I got this song on my bed death"

Evangelist Ann wa Kamau from Kenya was among the worshippers at a church service in London on Sunday 20th September, 2009. She presented her song from her album which she explained that she got the song while in death bed in hospital in North Eastern Province in Kenya. The doctors had given hope on her but God had not given up on her. The song entitled "Njiraga Nehova Niwega" (I always praise God for his goodness). The song originates  from the book Ephesians 5:20. The lady took the worshippers with storm as they joined her as she presented. Later in the afternoon she presented again at PCEA UK Outreach. She  minister through Kayu FM and Inooro FM in Kenya from time to time. You can contact me on 07536260660 or Lilian 07798708218. 

Husband, wife found dead in apparent

murder-suicide in far northeast Dallas

A husband and wife were found dead Thursday 17th September, 2009 morning in their far northeast Dallas apartment after what police say was likely a murder-suicide. Dallas police say it appears the husband, 23, shot his wife, 20, before dousing their apartment with gasoline and turning the gun on himself. The Kenyan man has been identified as Justice Mbaka who is the Son of Andrew Mbaka Omwega of office of the president in Kenya.. “This morning neighbours woke up to a strong smell of gas in the area,” said Senior Cpl. Kevin Janse, a police spokesman. “They weren’t sure where it was coming from.” The neighbours called the fire-rescue workers, who came out to the apartments in the 11600 block of Audelia Road. Eventually, a maintenance man realized the smell was coming from the couple’s apartment, police said. Authorities discovered the bodies about 9:30 a.m. “We’re not sure of his rationale or his motive for dousing the apartment with gasoline,” Janse said, “if he was intending to light it or what he was planning on doing.” Had the gasoline been set on fire, it could have taken many lives, Janse said. “It possibly could have sent the whole complex up.” Police believe the shootings may have occurred about midnight. “Apparently some of the neighbours actually heard two gunshots around midnight,” Janse said. “They didn’t call 911 or take any action at that time.” Police were called to the apartments in May, when the wife reported she and her husband got into a scuffle over his cellphone use. The husband and wife, who, according to county records, were married last year, declined to pursue any charges against each other. “From what the neighbours have been saying, and the maintenance and the management, there was possibly some family problems going on, and that’s what may have led to this,” Janse said. “But detectives are still trying to notify next of kin to get an exact idea of what was going on in the family.”

The name of the husband has been released after next of kin was notified by the Dallas Police. The Kenyan man has been identified as Justice Mbaka who is the Son of Andrew Mbaka Omwega of office of the president in Kenya. Mr Justice Mbaka, 23, is believed to have shot his wife Cellia Lyons who was 20 years old before dousing the apartment in gasoline.  The gasoline was not ignited and this probably saved the entire apartment complex from catching fire. According to neighbours, two shots were fired around midnight. None of the neighbors took any action at the time. Dallas Police had earlier been called to their apartment after the couple were involved in a scuffle over Mr. Mbaka’s cellphone use. No charges were filed at the time. The couple got married in 2008 in Dallas. Its with great sorrow we announce the death of Justice Mbaka in Dallas Texas. Justice Mbaka, 23,was found dead  together with his wife  at their Dallas Apartment. The late is the Son of Andrew  Mbaka Omwega of office of the president. He was a nephew to Stephen Ogenche Omwega, Laywer Kisii, Former Resident Magistrate,Joel Omwega, Richard Mwebi,and Nahason Kembero Omwega of Busia Law courts among others. in Kenya. Nahason orenge of New Jersey, Nahason Ayunga of Kansas. Ayub zachary of MN, Elijah Ombaso of MN. Lameck Simeka of Tx., Abel Mabeya of TX. Albert Ogenche of Wichita among other Relatives. The Body of Justice Mbaka is lying at Dallas county and his remains awaiting transportation to his fathers Rural home at Bosoti Sub location,Ibencho village Bomachoge Constituency. - The Dallas Morning News and JamboNewsPot.

82-year-old lady joined 21km race

This 82-year-old lady was caught by our photographer Saturday 19th September, 2009 participating at the 6th UAP Ndakaini Half Marathon‏ to raise funds towards conservation of Ndakaini Dam catchments area. The dam is now drying up as you can see the group photo background. The lady completed the 21  kilometres to get an award - Story and photo by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi, Kenya.

New Pay TV company launches in Kenya

Written By: Claire Wanja/release, Posted: Mon, Sep 21, 2009
 

A new pay television company was officially launched operations in Kenya on Monday 21st September, 2009. At the launch attended by among others the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Information and technology Mr Bitange Ndemo, Remember TV Africa limited unveiled introductory offers to Kenyan subscribers. "Today's family members are entitled to affordable entertainment that cuts across entire society and provides unequalled balanced programs for all ages," said Mr Michael Waweru the managing director of Remember TV Africa Ltd.  "My TV is a super family entertainer and is committed to bringing into Kenyan homes quality programs that are of value." Mr Ndemo urged local television stations to invest more in Satellite DTH and join other international players to help Kenyan nationals enjoy programs like other parts of the world.

"Our Kenyan youth are well talented and it is important when such openings come by to try and seize every opportunity of the new advancement in technology for the benefit of our countrymen," he said. "To the artists this is a pretty good chance to develop programmes for local consumption as well as for export; this will also boost Kenya's image abroad." Satellite television is expected to be successful, primarily because of its ability to cover vast and more sparsely populated areas in countries like Kenya, and East Africa.  At the same time, the communication sector in Kenya has tremendously grown in the last ten years, following its liberalization and enabling environment created by the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK).  My TV Africa broadcasts are both in English and French.  "We will empower dealers countrywide by making them partners in the business," said Mr Waweru.  He noted challenges like having at times weak signals especially in remote villages where infrastructure is not fully developed, but insisted the company will invest in having smooth receivership. Mr Ndemo said the government is committed to promoting local programmes as it gears for the switch from analogue to digital television. He said pay-tv stations would be encouraged to incorporate local programmes to create market for local content.

My TV Africa is owned by Strong Technologies, a satellite and terrestrial receivers manufacturer headquartered in Dubai. Remember Africa, its Kenyan distributor will now provide their range of 24-hour non commercial programming; that has no advert breaks. "Enabling accessibility is a continuous process at My TV, in line with our vision to provide the African family with an affordable pay television service with relevant programming," said Mr Bahjat Mirza, My TV General Manager. Approved My TV receiving equipment is also compatible with encryption satellite or terrestrial systems used by other operators. In addition Mr Waweru said they will be keen on affordable pricing, increasing the number of dealers, as well as empowering them to manage their subscribers. "We will also assist dealers in technical matters and after sales services. This is designed to provide convenient delivery to homes across the country," said Mr Waweru.   "We appeal to the local stations to join our platform that is shared by many countries in Africa; and move Kenya to another level as a source of news and entertainment," said the managing director. The government has in recent years liberalised the communication sector by allowing more players in radio and television. Such pay television providers give broadcasting reception that allows families to view more channels and programs through satellite receivers. "Today we are talking about global village where information, news, sports, entertainment and cultural practices are being shared worldwide; meaning we are members of our own countries as well as global citizens," said Mr Waweru.

Charge students in UK more, say bosses

University students in the UK should pay more for their loans and accept higher tuition fees as "inevitable", says a report from business leaders. The Confederation of British Industry says the extra money needed to fund universities should come from savings in the student support system. It also calls for more sponsorship and bursaries from businesses. The National Union of Students attacked the report as "gross hypocrisy" from the "fat cats at the CBI". In England, the government is set to launch a major review of the funding of higher education and student fees. Higher education minister for England, David Lammy, said the government was committed to investing in "our world class system" and to the aspiration for 50% of young people to go to university. The CBI is calling for that aim to be abandoned. The report from its higher education task force looks at the options for funding universities.

Tough choices

The CBI says that higher education is vital to the economic future and it rejects options such as slashing teaching budgets and cutting student numbers. "Instead, we say that savings should come from the student support system," said the CBI's director general, Richard Lambert. This would mean reducing the subsidy on student loans, more means-testing of support and the hiking of tuition fees above the current levels of £3,225 per year in England and Northern Ireland and £1,285 in Wales.

In Scotland, there are no tuition fees.

The report also says universities should focus more on economically valuable subjects such as science, technology, engineering, maths and languages. And it calls for the dropping of the ambition for 50% of young people to go to university. The blueprint for bridging the gap in funding has outraged student leaders. "At a time of economic crisis, when many hard-working families are struggling to support their offspring through university, I am astonished that the CBI should be making such offensive recommendations," said NUS president, Wes Streeting.

Divided opinions

The call for students to carry more of the financial burden marks a growing divide in opinions over how universities should be funded. It is also the latest suggestion that attention should be shifted from the headline figure for tuition fees to the wider long-term cost of subsidised student support. The 1994 Group of research universities has strongly welcomed the CBI's suggestions, saying that, without increased funding, higher education faces a "valley of death" of severe cutbacks.

REPLIES FROM THE READERS

These universities also back calls for higher fees and cutting the subsidy on student loans. "The fees cap needs to be high enough to bring in sufficient funding and enhance competition to further drive up quality," said the 1994 Group's executive director, Paul Marshall. "In addition, a sensible interest rate should be introduced on student loans, set at the current government cost of borrowing, to rectify the huge subsidy that the government currently pays." The Russell Group, representing a group of prestigious universities, was also enthusiastic about the proposals. "The CBI is right to call for an exploration of new sources of funding and to say that the priority is to maintain quality rather than expand numbers," said the Russell Group's director general, Wendy Piatt.

International survey

But the Million+ group of new universities opposes dropping the target of 50% of young people getting university places, saying it was "the wrong approach in a recession which has already caused one million young people to be unemployed". The Association of Teachers and Lecturers attacked the proposals as "arrogant and elitist". "The CBI should be arguing to maintain higher education funding in real terms, just as they argued for huge injections of cash to support failing businesses," said the ATL's Martin Freedman. The need for extra funding for higher education was highlighted by an international report from the OECD last report which called for more university places as a way out of driving economic growth. It showed that public and private spending on higher education in the UK is 1.3% of GDP - below the OECD average of 1.5%. The Conservatives' university spokesman, David Willetts, said the proposals were "a good opportunity to bring this whole issue back to life". The government is set to launch a review of the long-term funding of higher education later this autumn, but the final decision on raising tuition fees is unlikely to be made until after the general election. Higher education minister David Lammy commented on the CBI proposal: "Participation in higher education is an investment both for the individual and for the nation. "We should continue to widen access, not only because it's socially just, but also because our future economy will depend on having more people with higher level skills.

How beautiful is a woman whose heart is secure in the knowledge of her true worth. She is worth more than gold and silver.

A nice video about the Akurino sector - the young ones have caught up with the Hip Hop - VIDEO

Extra university places should be funded as a way out of recession and unemployment, says the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. An annual international report comparing education systems says economies and individuals continue to benefit from higher qualifications. "The benefits clearly outweigh the costs in every country," says report author, Andreas Schleicher. This year thousands of applicants in the UK missed out on university places. "Countries which want to position themselves for after the economic crisis should create sufficient places in university," said Mr Schleicher. "It makes sense to create more places. It means more tax, better health, better participation in society," he said.

Bermuda Triangle plane mystery 'solved'

Two of the so-called Bermuda Triangle's most mysterious disappearances in the late 1940s may have been solved.Scores of ships and planes are said to have vanished without trace over the decades in a vast triangular area of ocean with imaginary points in Bermuda, Florida and Puerto Rico. But journalist Tom Mangold's new examination for the BBC provides plausible explanations for the disappearance of two British commercial planes in the area, with the loss of 51 passengers and crew. One plane probably suffered from catastrophic technical failure as a result of poor design, while the other is likely to have run out of fuel. Sixty years ago, commercial flights from London to Bermuda were new and perilous. It would require a refuelling stop on the Azores before the 2,000-mile flight to Bermuda, which at that time was the longest non-stop commercial overseas flight in the world. The planes would have been operating at the limit of their range. Today planes arriving at the tiny Atlantic island have sufficient reserve fuel to divert to the US East Coast 700 miles away, in case of emergency. And the planes of the post-war era were far less reliable than today's airliners. British South American Airways (BSAA), which operated the route, had a grim safety record. In three years it had had 11 serious accidents and lost five planes with 73 passengers and 22 crew members killed.

Unsolved mystery

On 30 January 1948, a BSAA Avro Tudor IV plane disappeared without trace. Twenty-five passengers and a crew of six were on board The Star Tiger. No bodies or wreckage were found. The official investigation into the disappearance concluded: "It may truly be said that no more baffling problem has ever been presented. "What happened in this case will never be known and the fate of Star Tiger must remain an unsolved mystery." But there are a number of clues in the official accident report that reveal the Star Tiger had encountered problems before it reached the Azores. The aircraft's heater was notoriously unreliable and had failed en route, and one of the compasses was found to be faulty. Probably to keep the plane warmer, the pilot had decided to fly the whole transatlantic route very low, at 2,000 feet, burning fuel at a faster rate.

On approaching Bermuda, Star Tiger was a little off course and had been flying an hour later than planned. In addition, the official Ministry of Civil Aviation report considered that the headwinds faced by Star Tiger may have been much stronger than those forecast. This would have caused the fuel to burn more quickly. "Flying at 2,000 feet they would have used up much more fuel," said Eric Newton, one of the Ministry of Civil Aviation's most senior air accident investigators, who reviewed the scenario for the BBC. "At 2,000 feet you'd be leaving very little altitude for manoeuvre. In any serious in-flight emergency they could have lost their height in seconds and gone into the sea." Whatever happened to the plane, it was sudden and catastrophic - there was no time to send an emergency signal. The Avro Tudor IV was a converted warplane that was eventually taken out of passenger service because of its poor safety record. Only BSAA continued to fly the aircraft. Gordon Store was chief pilot and manager of operations at BSAA. In an interview with his local newspaper last November, he said he had no confidence in the Tudor's engines. "Its systems were hopeless… all the hydraulics, the air-conditioning equipment and the recycling fans were crammed together underneath the floor without any thought. There were fuel-burning heaters that would never work," he said.

Second accident

Almost a year to the day after the disappearance of the Star Tiger, another Avro Tudor IV belonging to BSAA vanished between Bermuda and Jamaica. Exactly one hour after departure from Bermuda on 17 January 1949, the pilot of the Star Ariel sent a routine communication of his position. But then the plane vanished without trace at 18,000 feet. According to experts, this would have required a sudden catastrophe. Again, no wreckage, debris or bodies were ever found. Fuel starvation at that height was not plausible, the weather report had been good, and pilot error was ruled out. The plane's poor design may well have been to blame, according to Don Mackintosh, a former BSAA Tudor IV pilot. The cabin heater mounted underneath the floor where the co-pilot sat is his prime suspect. At the time, aircraft heater technology was still in its infancy. "The heater bled aviation fuel on to a hot tube - and was also fairly close to the hydraulic pipes," he says. A pressure switch should have allowed the heater to operate when it was in the air but it was unreliable and was often deliberately short-circuited by staff, allowing the pilot manual control. The switch prevented inflammable fuel from flowing, but if the heater was switched on manually, gas that may have collected could have ignited. Captain Peter Duffey, a former BSAA pilot who went on to become a captain of British Airways Concorde, also believes that the proximity of the heater and the hydraulic pipes was significant.

"My theory is that hydraulic vapour escaped from a leak, which got on to a hot heater and caused an explosion," he says. Mr Newton's report came to a similar conclusion: "If the heater had caught fire down below the floorboards then it could have developed to a catastrophic state before the crew knew anything about it. "There was no automatic fire extinguisher to put it out like there is nowadays. There was no alarm where the heater was stored… so no-one would know, possibly until it was too late." The official accident investigation discovered that because of a communications error, search and rescue teams were not despatched until seven and a half hours later. By then what was left of the plane and the bodies would have sunk. The report on the disappearance of the first plane, the Star Tiger, said something which, because it could be easily misinterpreted, helped the accident achieve notoriety. In a moment of philosophical conjecture, the investigators mused that maybe "some external cause may (have) overwhelm(ed) both man and machine". Those comments from sober-suited British civil servants opened the floodgates for conspiracy theorists, hack journalists and mischief makers, adding to the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle.

Five US Navy planes disappeared in the triangle area in 1945.

Officers from the UK Border Agency last night dramatically raided the home of the illegal immigrant Attorney General Baroness Scotland employed as a housekeeper. Four immigration officials in blue boilersuits swooped on Tongan cleaner Loloahi Tapui’s flat in West London just after 3pm, breaking down the door with a 3ft metal battering ram.  They spent two hours searching the flat for evidence and are understood to have left with a number of documents, which they sealed in clear bags before transferring them into black holdalls.  It is understood the two-bedroom flat on the fifth floor of a Sixties building in Chiswick had been empty since the scandal surfaced on Thursday.  When The Mail on Sunday knocked on the door, which had been left ajar during the raid, an officer emerged saying: ‘No comment.’  He was later heard discussing ‘photographs’ with his colleagues. Next-door neighbour Edmund Kovaleski said: ‘The same officers came on Friday but did not get an answer. This time, they meant business. They came to our door and said they needed to get into her flat and that it might be a bit noisy.’

The sensational development further intensified pressure on the Attorney General – even prompting speculation that her own home may be raided – as political support for her appeared to be rapidly draining. Although Lady Scotland has received the public backing of Gordon Brown, privately her colleagues doubt she can survive. It emerged today that she is also being quizzed over £170,000 of expenses payments she is not entitled to. Lady Scotland has been receiving an allowance intended for peers who live outside the capital, despite saying her main home is her £2m house in Chiswick, west London. Angus Robertson, the SNP's leader in Westminster said it is a 'serious matter' and he would write to the cabinet secretary for an investigation.  He told the Sunday Times: 'This allowance is meant for people who live outside London, so for someone to be receiving these payments when their main address is already there is ridiculous.' Lady Scotland - who also has a cottage in Oxfordshire -  has consistently declared her Chiswick home on her Lords expense forms as her main residence and receives an allowance of £38,280 a year on top of her £113,000 salary to help maintain it, according to the paper. This weekend her spokesman defended the payments, saying the money is available to all ministers no matter where they live. However the Cabinet Office, the Senior Salaries Review Body and parliamentary documents say the money should only go to peers whose main home is outside London.

Scandal: Cleaner Laloahi Tapui, left, lived in the Chiswick apartment block, below, not far from employer Baroness Scotland, right

Ndakaini dam is drying up
 

Ndakaini Dam in Murang'a which is the 2nd intake of Nairobi water after Sasimwa is drying up. A visit by our photographer in Nairobi on Saturday 19th September, 2009 shows that the dam is now holding almost a quarter of the dam. This has been contributed by the drought which Kenya has not come across for the last 70 years. - Photo and story by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi, Kenya.

Kenya Meat Commission in Kenya has become the Valley of Death - VIDEO

Michuki's rules back on the Kenyan road

The drive, the conductor and now the overloadead passengers are being prosecuted. Michuki's rule is back in operation. The operation started at South B shopping centre where two passengers was caught in an overloaded matatu. However the driver escaped with his conductor. They were booked at Industrial area police station. Then at  Makongeni on Jogoo road where there was real action. Any conductor who didn't have a seat, or uniform was arrested and booked at Makongeni police station. Several passengers were also arrested and booked together with the matatu crew. They will be taken to court. Crackdown continues.

Kenyan Medicare worker jailed for $300,000 baby scam in Australia

A Medicare worker has been sentenced to four years' jail for using dead people's identities to claim more than $300,000 in baby bonus payments. Bernard Monyenye, 34, pleaded guilty to 24 counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception, attempting to obtain financial advantage by deception and sending proceeds of crime to relatives'  accounts in Kenya, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates. The court heard Monyenye used Medicare records to claim baby bonus payments and the maternity immunisation allowance, totalling $318,286.70, between June and November last year. District Court Judge Kevin Sleight described the act as a ``grave breach of trust'' and sentenced him to a non-parole period of two and a half years. Judge Sleight said the scheme was ``well planned and involved a cunning act ... motivated for offences related to greed''. He said Monyenye was an intelligent man who had studied at Perth's Murdoch University after arriving in Australia in 1998 on a student visa. He said Monyenye felt resentment to his Medicare employers because his career had not progressed. The holder of dual Australian and Kenyan citizenship, he was arrested before he was able to travel to Kenya with his family in December last year. Commonwealth prosecutor Patricia Aloi said Monyenye used his position at Medicare to access Centrelink records of dead people to obtain tax file numbers and create false claims for the $5,000 baby bonus payments for 64 fictitious children. He siphoned the money into 14 bank accounts and sent $19,324 of stolen funds to the accounts of relatives in Africa and the Middle East. The court was told about two-thirds of the stolen money had been recovered. Monyenye appeared calm as his sentence was handed down. Defence lawyer Angus Hockton said Monyenye had asked his wife and three-year-old daughter not to attend the sentencing, in order to escape the media glare. Mr Hockton described his client as a loner who suffered bouts of depression that stemmed from his violent upbringing in Kenya. Monyenye was charged by Australian Federal Police (AFP) in Perth on Wednesday after a joint AFP and Centrelink investigation.

50,000 cyclists in London

Thousands of people took to the streets of London on two wheels Sunday 20th September, 2009  to enjoy traffic-free routes past some of the biggest landmarks. Led by mayor Boris Johnson, the 50,000 cyclists enjoyed fine weather on the 15km journey past Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the Tower of London. Mr Johnson said the Skyride event 'encourages people to feel safe on bicycles'.

A formerly blind grandmother has regained her sight after surgeons implanted a tooth in her eye. American granny Sharron Thornton, 60, was blind for nine years after contracting Stevens-Johnsons syndrome, a rare disease that scarred her cornea. But doctors in Miami, Florida, made history after extracting her canine and drilling an optical cylinder lens into it. Ms Thornton is the first person ever to have her "eye tooth" taken out, reshaped and inserted in this type of surgery. She said: "We take sight for granted, not realising that it can be lost at any moment. This truly is a miracle. "If you could keep your eyes closed just for one week, it is amazing what you would see when you opened your eyes again." The tooth and the lens were implanted under her skin for two months so they could bond. They were then implanted in the centre of her eye, after a series of procedures to prepare the socket. The grandmother first realised she could see when doctors put antibiotics in her eye and she could tell the liquid was yellow. Once bandages were removed, she was able to recognise objects and faces within a few hours. Two weeks later she was able to read newspapers. "Through the work of the team, patients in the United States now have access to this complex surgical technique," said Bascom Palmer Eye Institute's Eduardo Alfonso. Ms Thornton said it was hard to make people believe she had regained her sight thanks to one of her teeth. "I'm looking forward to seeing my seven youngest grandchildren for the first time," she said.

Granny's Sight Restored With Tooth Implant

A 107-year-old Malaysian woman says she is ready to marry for the 23rd time because she fears her current drug addict husband might leave her for a younger woman, a report said Monday.  Wook Kundor made headlines four years ago when she married Muhammad Noor Che Musa, a man 70 years her junior in northern Terengganu state, with pictures of the couple's wedding splashed across regional newspapers. But Wook is now looking for new love as she fears that Muhammad, 37, who is undergoing voluntary drug rehabilitation treatment in the capital Kuala Lumpur, will leave her once the programme ends, she told the Star newspaper. "Lately, there is this kind of insecurity in me," the paper quoted her as saying, showing a photograph of the smiling, wrinkled-faced centenarian wearing a Muslim headscarf. "I realise that I am an aged woman. I don't have the body nor am I a young woman who can attract anyone." "My intention to remarry is to fill my forlornness and nothing more than that," she said, adding that she felt lonely without her husband by her side to celebrate the coming Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr next week. Wook said she planned to visit Muhammad on the second day of Eid if her neighbours were willing to drive her to the capital. Muhammad, who was a lodger in Wook's house, had previously said it was "God's will" that the couple fell in love.

Wook Kundor, 107, sits outside her house in Malaysia's northern Kuala Terengganu state on September 13, 2009

Kenya PM dropped from Obama luncheon

Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga arrived in the United States of America on Saturday night to news of cancellation of a luncheon with US President Barack Obama which had earlier been scheduled for later this week. The news followed a round of confusion over whether he would attend the luncheon, hosted by the White House for selected leaders from sub-Saharan Africa on the sidelines of the 64th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. New York-based Kenyan ambassador to the UN Zachary Muburi-Muita told the Nation on Saturday night that the State Department contacted him on Friday to “disinvite” Mr Odinga from the September 22 luncheon with President Obama in New York for African leaders.  The ambassador last Monday confirmed to the Nation that he had received an invitation letter for the PM to attend the luncheon. A dispatch to the Foreign Affairs ministry from Kenya’s Ambassador to Washington, Mr Peter Ogego, seen by the Nation confirmed the cancellation. - Sunday Nation.

UK Border Agency officers at Heathrow Airport have made what is thought to be their biggest-ever seizure of heroin, and sparked an investigation into an international drugs gang. Following an operation on 9 September 2009 around 165kg of the Class A drug, with an estimated street value of £8 million, was discovered by UK Border Agency detection teams hidden in a consignment of souvenirs from South Africa. The find was referred to the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), which began an international investigation. Following that, two men were arrested, and a further 80kg of heroin was seized at an address in Dartford, Kent. 35-year-old Nicholas Fullbrook from Leigh in Kent was charged with conspiracy to import controlled drugs and possession with intent to supply. He was remanded in custody following a court hearing at Maidstone Magistrates on 12 September 2009. A second man has been released on bail pending further enquiries. Information was also passed on to police in South Africa, who subsequently arrested a further five people, including three United Kingdom nationals. Another 115kg of heroin, and more than 6,500kg of herbal cannabis and cannabis resin, were also found. The total amount of drugs seized during the operation is estimated to be worth around £25 million. It is thought that all of it was destined for Britain. Philip Astle, the UK Border Agency's Heathrow director, said:

'This latest detection of heroin at Heathrow, believed to be our biggest ever, highlights our success in preventing class A drugs entering the UK.

'We continue, through intelligence gathering and the abilities of our expert teams of officers, to have a high impact on the drugs trade and disrupt smuggling activities.

'Drugs devastate lives and communities and my officers, along with colleagues from other law enforcement agencies, are determined to stop them reaching our streets.'

SOCA deputy director Andy Sellers said:

'Protecting the UK from the harm caused by drug trafficking means going beyond the UK's borders and targeting the people behind the trade.

'These seizures are a great example of what can happen when partners work together. Both ends of this international chain have been attacked, and a significant amount of heroin and cannabis has been kept off the UK's streets.'

Anyone with information about illegal smuggling activities should call the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.

UK Border Agency launches online booking for appointments

Home Office, 18 September 2009

The UK Border Agency is improving its customer service by offering a flexible new way for applicants to book appointments. You can now go online to book your appointment if:

• you want to apply in person and get a same-day decision at one of our seven public enquiry offices - this is acalled a 'premium application', and you will need to pay a higher application fee; or
• you have applied by post but you need to to enrol your biometrics at one of 11 biometric enrolment centres so that you can get an identity card for foreign nationals as part of your immigration application .

Online booking is a fast, simple and convenient way of securing an appointment slot, allowing you to book when it suits you and freeing up our contact centre agents for other calls. The existing telephone booking service will continue to operate for large family groups of 11 or more applying together, and for people who do not have access to the internet or who just prefer to call.

The service is now live for premium applications. Postal applicants who need to obtain an identity card and whose postal applications are received on or after 18 September will be sent a letter telling them that they can book an appointment online. More information about the online booking system is available on the Booking an appointment page.

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Phase 3 launch date announced for Tier 4 of the points-based system

Home Office, 17 September 2009

The UK Border Agency has confirmed that phase 3 of Tier 4 of the points-based system for immigration is set to go live on 5 October 2009.

Phase 3 is the voluntary trial period of the sponsorship management system for Tier 4 sponsors. This trial period allows sponsors to continue using visa letters while gradually adopting the use of the sponsorship management system to issue confirmations of acceptance for studies. Confirmations of acceptance for studies will become mandatory in February 2010. Between 5 October 2009 and February 2010, sponsors will be able to issue confirmations of acceptance for studies, visa letters, or a combination of both to would-be students who are applying from within the United Kingdom. Would-be students applying from outside the United Kingdom will still have to apply with a visa letter until February 2010. For further details on the implementation of Tier 4, you can download the Tier 4 implementation plan from the right side of this page.

Jacksonville, Florida, USA, A Kenyan man  man faces two sexual battery charges following his arrest in a local nursing home. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, it happened just after 3:30 Sunday 13th September, 2009  morning at the Regents Park nursing home on the Southside. A witness told police she heard something from one of the rooms, and when she went in she saw Anthony Mbugua Njoroge engaged in a sexual activity with a woman in the room. The woman is disabled. The witness told police she reached for her cell phone, but Njoroge tried to stop her. She was able to make a call anyway and someone else came into the room. That witness told police she saw Njoroge cleaning up. The witness says Njoroge then left the room and threw something in the disposal room. Police came and investigated, then arrested Njoroge. Njoroge, 35, faces charges of sexual battery (victim mentally impaired) and sexual battery (victim physically helpless.) "When something like this happens, especially to someone of a certain age, it's disgusting," said John Harrell, spokesperson for DCF. The Department of Children and Families is working alongside JSO on the investigation. Harrell says DCF has investigated eight allegations of abuse at Regents Park in the past year, though none have been verified.

The accused Mr. Anthony Mbugua Njoroge and the home where he was working - CLICK FOR VIDEO

"Of those eight reports, four showed no findings, but four had some findings, including inadequate supervision [of patients]. That happened a couple of times," Harrell said. Regents Park Spokesperson Tom Groesbeck confirmed Njoroge was employed at the nursing home, and that the care facility is cooperating with law enforcement on the investigation.  A former employee of Regents Park told First Coast News that Njoroge has worked at Regents Park as a nursing assistant since at least 2005. First Coast News has learned that Njoroge also worked at another Southside nursing home.  A spokesperson for Life Care Center says Njoroge was employed at the nursing home up until his arrest Sunday. The spokesperson went on to say that resident safety is Life Care Center's highest priority, and that there have been no allegations of this nature at their facility. Authorities say the elderly victim from Regents Park is doing as well as can be expected.  DCF is now looking into whether the attack is an isolated incident. "Obviously there are a number of vulnerable adults there. They need to be safe. They need to be in a safe environment. I'm sure there are a lot of families feeling a lot of concern right now," Harrell said. Police are withholding any further information due to the nature of the crime and the investigation. Njoroge remains in jail on a $500,000 bond. Aside from this arrest, he has no criminal record in Duval County.

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Students at Kenya High School in Nairobi were on Thursday quarantined after health officials confirmed that 25 of them had contracted swine flu, bringing the number of confirmed cases in the country to 159.  Parents and other visitors were not allowed into the school, which will remain isolated for 10 days.  Public Health minister Beth Mugo said the results were confirmed on Wednesday. Girls with asthma or other conditions that make them more vulnerable to the virus have also been quarantined. The director of Public Health, Dr Shahnaaz Shariff, said the affected girls had received treatment before the isolation.  “Majority of them, who are in forms One and Two, were treated and advised to remain under bed rest to minimise further spread of the disease among the student community,” he said. He described their condition as “not too serious to warrant hospitalisation”. On Thursday, guards at the school’s gate refused Nation journalists entry, saying they were under firm instructions to lock out all visitors. Telephone calls to the school management also went unanswered. However, during the visit to the school the Nation saw two ambulances leaving the compound. Parents thronged the school but were turned away by security officers, who said they had received orders from the administration not to let anyone in. “The number of infected students is rising too fast,” a teacher who sought anonymity said. “Things may get even more serious by tomorrow (today) morning.”  Parents complained of being kept in the dark over the condition of their children. - Daily Nation.

A parent argues with a guard after she was denied access to Kenya High School in Kileleshwa, Nairobi. The school confirmed 25 cases of swine flu amongst its students. The students were being treated at the school.

"Even in cooking there is a moment you have to lower the temperature of the kettle to allow the food to cook nicely, that is where we are. We need a break to correct ourselves where we went wrong,’’ - Hon. Amos Kimunya speaking in Parliament.

This was at Buruburu police station on Thursday 17th September, 2009. School buses were not spared either. On the way back, hungry cows were seen grazing at Buruburu shopping centre feeding on nothing. Kenyans are praying for the rain to come soon. - Photo and story by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi, Kenya - 17/09/09.

Somali embassy condemns suicide attacks in Mogadishu

The Somali Embassy in Nairobi has condemned the suicide attacks that killed 11 people at a peacekeeping base in Mogadishu. Mohamed Ali Nur, the Somalia Ambassador to Kenya called that act as cowardly and said his government would pursue the killers. "We believe they are terrorists from foreign countries committed to undermining our peace efforts," Nur said. The ambassador, who conveyed a message from the Somali Prime Minister, Omar Sharmarke asked the international community to increase support for Africa Union Mission in Somalia (Amison) and Somali security forces. At least two bombs exploded at the AU forces headquarters yesterday. The explosion killed 11 people and injured scores of others. Among the dead is the Deputy Commander of the AU force in Somalia, along with four of the bombers. The injured were flown to Nairobi for specialised treatment. Information Minister, Dajir Mohamed Geele said the attack would not affect the operations of Amison.  "Other reports had indicated the Al Shabaab militia group was responsible for the attacks in apparent revenge for a US raid that reportedly killed Al Qaeda suspect Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan.

President Mwai Kibaki is shown how an automatic voting machine works when he toured the JKUAT stand at the Nyeri National A.S.K Show.

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Nyama on the sewage. You guessed it right!!! - Photo and story by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi, Kenya - 17/09/09

World's Tallest Man Visits London - For Love

Wanted: One loving woman. Must have a head for heights. Because the world's tallest man, Sultan Kosen, is looking for love. For many lonely hearts, finding love is a tall order - particularly if you measure a towering 8ft 1in. Women used to run scared from Mr Kosen, but now he is hoping his new-found fame will help bring him love for the first time. Mr Kosen, who also has the largest hands (more than 10in) and feet (14in) on the planet, said his size had put women off - he has never had a girlfriend. The 27-year-old, who is visiting London, said: "The first thing I want to do is have a car that I can fit in but more than that I want to get married. "Up until now it's been really difficult to find a girlfriend. I've never had one, they were usually scared of me. I'm hoping now I will find one." He added: "It was really difficult for me to find a girlfriend before but hopefully now that I'm famous I'll be able to meet lots of girls. I'd like to get married." One the difficulties of being so tall is getting clothes which fit - Mr Kosen wore a specially-made suit to meet the media at the launch of the latest Guinness Book of Records.

It is was one of the first outfits he has owned that fits correctly. He also had to have a 9ft, 9in bed specially crafted. Mr Kosen said: "The most difficult things are, for example, that I can't fit into a normal car. "I can't go shopping like normal people, I have to have things made specially and sometimes they aren't always as fashionable. "The other thing is that ceilings are low and I have to bend down through doorways." But his towering height does have its upsides. He said: "The good thing about being so tall is that I can see people from a long distance. "The other thing is at home they use my height to change the light bulbs and hang the curtains, things like that." Medical problems ruled out a lucrative career in basketball and he now works occasionally as a farmer. Mr Kosen, who sometimes uses crutches, said he had always dreamed of travel and had two seats to himself on the flight to Britain. He has three brothers and a sister, and applied for consideration as the Turkish tall man honour and was discovered to be more than 4in taller than the world record holder. The title was previously held by Bao Xishun who was first given the accolade in 2005. - VIDEO

As many as 50,000 students in England face starting university this month without the full grants and loans they expected. The Student Loans Company has struggled to cope with applications and says full payments will be made by late October. But it says everyone who applied on time should receive at least the "basic level" loan soon after courses start. Hundreds of students have e-mailed the BBC News website to complain of delays in the handling of their applications. They complain of missing documents, help lines they try for hours to get through to, which then offer them no help. Some of the e-mails are from people who said they applied on time but had not had their loans approved by the time they started courses this week. The backlog has arisen, the SLC says, because of an increase in loan applications and late applications. The body organises the loans for the government. Most English universities start next Monday (21 September) or a week later, but some courses - such as teacher training - have already begun. The chief executive of the Student Loans Company, Ralph Seymour-Jackson, told the BBC everyone who had applied for loans before mid-August would have their applications processed by the time they started their courses.

All of those applicants would receive at least "basic funding" - that is, tuition fees for their university and the basic maintenance loan - within seven days of starting a course. This means up to 50,000 students will not receive the full amount they could expect from the Student Loans Company, although the balance would follow by mid to late October. 50,000 represents 5% of the million students who have applied for loans this year. Most affected will be those on the lowest family incomes, because above the basic level of a maintenance loan (which all full-time undergraduates are eligible for) is an additional means-tested element and the processing of those requests is to be done second. Those eligible for other extra support, such as loans for child care will also be affected as these are means-tested. Mr Seymour-Jackson appeared on BBC Breakfast News with Claire Swinmurn, who had contacted the BBC News website because her funding and loans for her teacher training course had not come through. She started her course at Oxford Brookes University nearly two weeks ago. She had written that she was sick to her stomach "as I am petrified that I will have to give up my course due to the delays caused by student finance".

Kibaki assures Kenyans on food security

Written By: PPS   , Posted: Thu, Sep 17, 2009

President Mwai Kibaki has reassured Kenyans that the government has taken measures to ensure there is enough food for emergency supplies in the country. Noting that prolonged drought has caused crop failure leading to a food deficit, President Kibaki said the government was making every effort to ensure sufficient quantities of food are distributed throughout the country.

"Periodic spells of drought are largely responsible for the perennial food shortages. To end our vulnerability to weather changes, the government has started implementing long term solutions aimed at reducing over-reliance on rain-fed food production," President Kibaki said.

The President was speaking Thursday when he officially opened the ASK Nyeri National Show at Kabiruini Showground in Nyeri Central District. He said the government has moved to harness the country's irrigation potential, and that plans are underway to rehabilitate and expand irrigation schemes in the country. Saying only 36,000 hectares has been irrigated in Central Province, the President said the Mwea Irrigation Scheme will be expanded by an additional 7,000 hectares. On environment, President Kibaki said Kenyans must work tirelessly not only to conserve but also to create conducive environmental conditions that the country deserves.

"I am pleased to note that conservation of forests is now well appreciated in this province. Many people have voluntarily started cutting down eucalyptus trees as a way of conserving water. I urge other Kenyans to do the same and work with the government to plant trees that consume less water and help conserve the environment," the President said.

The President expressed satisfaction that agro-forestry is now a common practice among farmers and encouraged them to plant more environmental-friendly trees in order to achieve the required 10 per cent tree cover. In this connection, he directed the Ministries of Agriculture and Wildlife and Forestry to redouble their efforts and ensure farmers have enough seedlings to plant during the forecasted heavy rains.

"Thereafter the two ministries should spearhead planting environmental-friendly trees throughout the years to come until we fully recover the country's rightful share of forest cover," President Kibaki directed.

In addition to environmental conservation, President Kibaki said the government has taken deliberate steps to promote the use of fertilizers and quality seeds as a means of increasing agricultural productivity. He reassured that in the coming rainfall season, the government will provide free seeds to farmers who are currently dependent on food relief. The President said the government will also provide free seeds and fertilizers to over 78,000 resource poor farmers throughout the country, adding that the government is implementing a comprehensive fertilizer subsidy program for most crops.

"For instance, this season, the price of 50 kg bag of D.A.P. has been reduced from Kshs 2500 to Kshs 2000. Also reduced is the price of C.A.N. from Kshs 1,750 to Kshs 1400 per 50 kg bag," the President said.

The Head of State, therefore, urged farmers to take advantage of the fertilizer subsidy to grow enough food for the country and surplus for export. On horticultural production, the President observed that there is still an enormous unexploited potential and urged more farmers to venture into horticulture as a way of increasing their income and boost rural employment.

Increased production

President Kibaki commended coffee farmers for heeding the government's call to rehabilitate their farms leading to an increase in production from 100 million kilograms to 123 million kilograms in the last two years. He said the government has also undertaken reforms to further assist in the recovery of coffee production including taking over the burden of farmers' debts of over Kshs 3.2 billion, setting up the Coffee Development Fund of Kshs 1.6 billion, liberalization of coffee marketing and introduction of a new direct marketing window.

"However, much more needs to be done to enhance coffee production and earnings and the Ministries of Agriculture and Cooperative Development should put more focus on this sector," the Head of State said.

The President said reforms should also be extended to the tea sector which earned farmers Kshs 5.2 billion last year, saying farmers require more incentives, better prices and selfless leadership to give a new impetus for growth of the tea industry. On livestock industry, the President called on farmers to redouble their commitment to the improvement of the dairy industry, saying the Government on its part has provided a conducive environment through liberalization, revival of K.C.C., control of diseases and provision of inspectorate services. President Kibaki, once again, assured farmers that the government, through the Agricultural Finance Corporation, has continued to offer affordable loans to farmers to ensure availability of credit for the purchase of agricultural inputs and payment for other farm operations. He called on other financial institutions to develop affordable farmer-friendly credit packages to meet the existing needs. The President pointed out that the government has also continued to strengthen the cooperative sector as a source of finance for farmers and encouraged more farmers to join the movement so as to pool resources and benefit from enhanced bargaining power and economies of scale. Said the President: "The farmers should also demand more accountability from those who manage the co-operative societies."

Infrastructure improvement

On infrastructure, President Kibaki said the government has allocated enormous resources for tarmacking of several new roads, recarpeting of others and graveling of many more rural access roads to ensure timely delivery of agricultural inputs to farmers and efficient delivery of agricultural products to the market. The President said the Government has also intensified rural electrification to enable farmers and rural businessmen to initiate agro-industries with a view to adding value to agricultural products. Other speakers included Agriculture Minister William Ruto, Agricultural Society Of Kenya (ASK) National Chairman Mr. Stewart Madzayo and Nyeri National Show Chairman Mr. James Kahiro. Present were ministers Prof. Sam Ongeri and Esther Murugi and Chief of General Staff Gen. Jeremiah Kianga.

Growth in UK retail sales stalls

UK retail sales were unchanged in August compared with the previous month, casting doubt on the strength of the recovery in consumer spending. Sales growth in July was also revised down, from 0.4% to 0.2%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. Food sales growth was more than offset by falls in clothing and footwear. To add to the retail gloom, department store John Lewis announced a fall in profits and predicted tough trading conditions in the coming months. Retail sales rose by 1.3% in June, and analysts had been expecting a third straight month of growth to reinforce hopes that the UK was emerging from recession - as hinted by other data. There were signs of growth in some sectors. August food sales rose by 0.7%, while non-store retailing - which includes internet, telephone and mail order shopping - and repair shops saw sales grow by 1.1%. But this was not enough to offset bigger falls in other areas. All non-food sectors, apart from household goods, suffered declines in sales. The worst hit were textile, clothing and footwear shops, where sales dipped 1.3%. Department store John Lewis added to the downbeat retail outlook when it announced a 20% fall in profits for the first half of the year, and said it expected the coming months to be tough. "We expect trading conditions for the remainder of 2009 , and into 2010, to continue to be difficult," said chairman Charlie Mayfield. He forecast a "slow, drawn-out economic recovery." Reflecting the growth the overall growth in food sales, however, the group did see stronger performance in its supermarket chain Waitrose.

The violence that has plagued Somalia for the best part of two decades has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people, and forced hundreds of thousands more from their homes. Venturing into what is possibly the most dangerous country on earth - correspondent Mike Thomson visited the sprawling refugee camps, and met some of the people who now call them home. - PHOTOS

Health Secretary Andy Burnham has announced plans to scrap GP catchment areas in England within a year. Ministers want to introduce more choice into the family doctor system, believing it will drive up standards. The move has been on the cards for some time and is part of the government's long-running drive to improve access. Doctors' leaders said they were not opposed to the idea, but warned there were some issues that still needed resolving.

UK has sent 71,560 to Afghanistan

A total of 71,560 members of Britain's armed forces have served in Afghanistan since 2001, the government has said. Tory MP Philip Hollobone, who obtained the figures, said they revealed the full extent of Britain's commitment to the Afghan war for the first time. The figure includes regular forces, reservists and Gurkhas. The Ministry of Defence said similar figures were not available for Iraq, but "about 100,000" members of the UK armed forces had served there in total. In his written answer, Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell told Mr Hollobone: "As at 1 August 2009, 71,560 members of the UK armed forces have been identified as having deployed to Afghanistan. "This includes UK regular forces, Gurkhas, Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel and mobilised reservists."

Kenya set for digital migration

Written By: Claire Wanja/kna   , Posted: Wed, Sep 16, 2009

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of information and Communication, Dr. Bitange Ndemo has said that the stage is set for Kenya to migrate to the digital television. The PS said that due to the advantages that come with the use of the digital TV as compared to the current analogue television, Kenyans will embrace the noble technology and enjoy quality viewership. Addressing the press at a Nairobi Hotel, Dr. Ndemo asked the Media to educate the masses on the new development where everyone would be included in the migration process. "Consumers also have a huge role to play in the transition. Unless the consumers understand the digital migration process and what they need to do, the switchover will not take over," said the PS, adding, "I also urge the consumers to play a role in switching to the digital TV." The government has received the digital transmitter, which will be installed by the end of this month followed by a launch early in October. Already, the government has set aside shs. 152 Million to kick start the migration process. Ndemo added that the government had formed a taskforce to ensure smooth migration from analogue to Digital TV. The taskforce comprises of members from the Ministry of Information and Communication, Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) and the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).

The taskforce has established an elaborate frame work which will also realize good opportunities of businesses arising from Migration. "I am glad that the digital Television Committee recognizes the centrality of the consumer in the implementation of the digital project," said the PS. The opportunities will include local content development incubators, regional training centres, retailing and both call center operation and management. The PS observed: "Television Broadcasting is among the key industries in ICT that are benefiting from digital technology. And as you are aware, digital television will not only improve on our quality of TV signals, but will also create room for more broadcasters, hence allowing content to be transmitted." The Migration process is part of the Digital Kenya, a new project developed by the Ministry of Information and Communication to improve service delivery among broadcasters.  In addition, the model will also require broadcasters to be content providers.  The transmission (broadcasting) of the content will now be done by a signal distributor. However, Ndemo stated that the main challenges will include availability and cost of set boxes, providing signal standards to the resellers, mounting a public campaign for the consumers' awareness and finding ways of enforcing standards to ensure the consumer was not cheated. Ndemo assured Kenyans that the government has put bold measurers in place to ensure the process goes on smoothly.

British Education System

It is a fact that our children are not performing as well as they should in schools. We are rated below the Asians and the Chinese. As a block the Afro-Caribbean pupils have under performed for many years and a time for change has come. Considering Africa as a block, Nigerian children are performing well. From my interaction with parents and some teachers from Kenya we can say that our (Kenya) parents needs to be open to embrace the right information that will raise their leverage to supporting their children who are in school. It is not good to let your child miss the opportunity to excel in such a nation as we are in.

Where are missing it?

Most parents were educated outside the UK, as a result they are not very conversant with the British education system. Many parents keep comparing the British system with the Kenyan or their country’s system of education, and tend to be negative about the British system. Well their conclusion is mainly based on ignorance, for it is human nature to dismiss what he does not comprehend.(Remember the Hyena’s conclusion when he could not get the ripe fruits, he said,  even they are not ripe). Britain is a first world nation and has very high precision engineering plants, they have good medical facilities, and they are developed, despite any body’s negative attitude on their education system. If their system was bad how come that they are an authority in so many fields that required educated brains.

My assessment as a teacher

As a teacher I feel quite a painful pinch when I meet our own kids who are least motivated and wearing a don’t care attitude. Worse still when I hear parents speak in the presence of their kids how bad the system. The fact of the matter is that the British system of education would be very suitable for our children as it is less stressing and any child of average intelligence can easily get top grades if he be focused.

What should we do?

The system requires a lot of input from the parents and it is absolutely important that a parent be well informed of the system. Family rebuild has been offering seminars on Education and many parents who have attended the seminars can attest to the fact that they have benefited. Unfortunately there are those parents who prioritise others things at the expense of their children. This time round Family rebuild is seeking to co work with many local groups within England where foreign people are settled.

Up coming Seminar in Reading

Date : Saturday 26th September 2009: Time 2.00pm-6.00pm

Venue: Tile Hurst Methodist Church, School road, Tila Hurst Reading Rg31 5AR

FACILITATOR: Pastor Wangaruro, * ( a teacher, a pastor and  the host of family rebuild broadcaster)

Welcome to the seminar and let the veil be removed and your child will start being different at school and home. For the purpose of cost sharing to host the seminar please come with £10. Rebate available for a couple (fiver)

knowledge is better than ignorance. Look at this statement from our Africa Hero and a respected leader Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most important tool which we can use to change the world.

We look forward to come to

Oxford

Manchester

Coventry-again

London

Nottingham

If you think your town can benefit from these seminars please contact familyrebuild on familyrebuild@yahoo.co.uk or call Pastor Wangaruro on 07940105578.

Police in New Zealand have named the man who was killed in a house in Avonhead as Stephen Mwangi Maina, a 38 year-old freezing worker from Ashburton.  Detective Inspector Greg Williams said he died as a result of significant injuries. Maina arrived in New Zealand in October last year. His mother in Kenya and brother in Australia had been told of his death. Police are appealing for sightings of a red car belonging to Samuel Ngumo Njuguna who fled New Zealand on Sunday 13th September, 2009. His estranged wife Lydia Munene was found with severe head injuries and the body of Maina were found in bed together in a house in Burrows Place, Avonhead on Monday.  Munene may have lain seriously injured in the flat for several days before she and the body of Maina were found by a visitor at 6pm. Investigators were tracking the movements of a red 1995 Peugeot Saloon with licence plate TH4438. Williams said the investigation is now focused on the events of Friday evening through to the early hours of Saturday morning. "We believe that the children were removed from Burrows Place sometime early on Saturday morning between  midnight and 6am, by their father. 

Lydia Munene who was seriously injured in her home in Burrows Place, Avonhead

"It appears that this is also the likely time the two people were attacked in the house," he said. Njuguna went to the Flight Centre at The Palms in Shirley at 9am on Saturday 12th September, 2009 and obtained tickets to travel to Kenya. He travelled via Auckland, Sydney, Bangkok before arriving in Kenya on Monday. Families of the deceased and of Lydia Munene have been contacted by police and are "devastated" by the news. Williams said work would continue at Burrow Pl and at 33 Patrick St for the next couple of days. Munene is in an induced coma and will be so for the next few days. Williams said the small Kenyan community in Christchurch had "bonded together in support of each other" and police were  working closely with them. Munene had lived in New Zealand for several years with her husband, Samuel Ngumo Njuguna, and their two sons, aged 13 and nine. She recently started work as a nurse at Christchurch Hospital. She was in an induced coma today. "We believe the man and woman were well on Friday," Williams said. "We don't know, between Friday and when we found the bodies, when this occurred. There are indications the husband may be involved." Njuguna dropped his children off at a friend's house at 4pm on Saturday before catching an early morning flight to Kenya from Christchurch International Airport on Sunday. He arrived in Kenya at 6am on Monday.

CAR: Police are appealing for sightings of this red Peugeot saloon.

"[On Monday night] we spoke with Interpol and they are making contact with people over there," Williams said. "We know he is in Kenya. The issue is what he is going to do. We want to talk to him." New Zealand did not have an extradition agreement with Kenya, Williams said. "If we have to take action, that will be done at a diplomatic level." Police had attended a domestic dispute between Munene and Njuguna about two weeks ago. There had been no physical assault in that incident, Williams said. A security guard was at a Mairehau house jointly owned by Munene and Njuguna yesterday. Friends expressed shock at the man's murder and the attack on a "lovely, sympathetic" woman who had recently graduated as a nurse from the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology. "She seems really, really nice and is making such a fantastic go of things," landlord Margaret Dawson said. "I just feel so terribly shocked because she has made so much of an effort to make such a life for herself and her children. Her two boys are very tall, good-looking, charming, lively, intelligent and lovely." Munene had spoken "unfavourably" of Njuguna, she said. "I gathered he was well out of the picture. Why could he not get on with his life and leave her alone? There is no need for domestic violence," Dawson said. A friend from the Kenyan community who declined to be named said she last saw the family together at a barbecue last December, and they all seemed happy. "We are all shocked. I have not seen them for months," she said. "I have just come back from Africa myself. She is lovely. "We last met in December and had a laugh and were having fun happy kids, happy mother and happy father. "I knew she was studying ... She said that she had hardly seen anyone because she was so busy studying." They had not met the friend but they understood he had only recently moved to New Zealand.

HOMICIDE: The body of a man, whose identity is not known, is removed from an Avonhead flat

Latest from police on Kenyan murder

Hunt for Kenyan man continues

We are looking for 2 Kenyan main male lead

"We are a photographic agency called Blunt and we represent the photographer Satoshi Minakawa who has been commissioned to shoot for Tusker beer.  We are also producing and casting for this shoot.

We are looking for ‘models’ /real people of Kenyan decent for this upcoming photo shoot.

We are looking for 2 main male lead models;  1 with some football / athletic ability plus 8 other characters who will be more background in  the ads. Within that group we are looking for 2 females and everyone else male.

The brief is as follows: Must be Kenyan / east African and over 25 years old ideal within 25 and 30.

Would need to be available either the  24th / 25th Sept or 28th /29th Sept.

Fee for lead model is £800 each (payable on day)

Fee for background models £150 (again payable on day)

If you could contact any students and let me know if anyone is interested – if they are please ask them to send through photos and date availability, please find my contact detail below.

The images will only run in east Africa as posters but obviously we will be able to supply them with images.

NEW WEBSITE  http://www.bluntlondon.com
BLUNT NEWS  http://www.bluntlondon.com/news.php

        3rd Floor
        94 Leonard Street
        London
        EC2A 4RH

T 00 44 207 613 1188
F 00 44 207 613 7760
M 00 44 7977 141 244

A Kenyan gospel musician Annie wa Kamau is in London

"My name is Annie Wakamu, founder of Family Hope Evangelistic Ministry, whereby we meet every 3rd Sunday of the month.  I am  a member of P.C.E.A  Kangoya  Kiambu, Kenya. I also minister through Kayu FM and Inooro FM from time to time. I am here in London from 12th September, 2009 to 1st October, 2009. I will minister through songs in the Swahili service, London on  Sunday the 20th  from 9.00 a.m to 11.00 am. In the afternoon I will  minister through songs at PCEA Outreach. Then on 27th October I will  preach at PCEA Outreach at 2.00pm. Being an evangelist since 1989  and a gospel musician I have produced two volumes namely; Njiraga Jehova ni wega (Nyamukire maria maroka), Nituoka Baba gucokia ngatho or Baba wi mwihokeku.You can get dvds and cds of songs and  as well as sermons at 5 pounds.  You can contact me on 07536260660 or  Lilian 07798708218.  God bless you all."

Anne Wakamau (left) posing with Rev. Kibathi of PCEA Outreach and his wife

Removing overstayers over the past year has cost New Zealand more than $2 million.  Migrant experts warn the cost will increase as more people fall foul of the strict application of immigration laws during the recession. In the 2008-09 financial year, 740 people who had overstayed their work visas or had their permits revoked were removed from New Zealand and 45 were deported, costing the taxpayer over $2m. Another 905 people left voluntarily after being contacted by immigration officials. Five years ago, 1207 people were removed, two deported and 1202 left voluntarily. Migrant website Move2NZ co-director Mike Bell said removal numbers were likely to increase as migrants were being placed in impossible situations by the inflexible and inconsistent application of immigration rules. He said some of those being removed at great cost to the country were the skilled workers New Zealand needed.

Crossing Nairobi river

In journalism good news never make news but bad news do. For this case crossing Nairobi river from Race Course road has become a nightmare to many Nairobians. These are few captions of today showing how hardworking Kenyans are struggling to cross. Mind you we have authorities who can sort out the mess. Not even ladies were spared. Some had to climb on the guard rails to save themselves but others were not lucky. The went home seething after being splashed the filth by passing matatu's. The reasons behind this started about a month ago between NEMA and City Council of Nairobi. NEMA, under which the kazi kwa vijana work for, have been blocking sewer lines to Nairobi river. This being one way to clean the river. But it seems no consultation has been down between the two organs of the government. Last week we witnessed the city council breaking this sewer line but got blocked days later causing more problems. We would love to see former Town clerk Mr John Gakuo who is Nairobi river cleaning co-ordinator meet the current Town clerk Mr Phillip Kisia to sort out this problem once and for all. - Story and photo by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi, Kenya - 16th September, 2009.

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IKO NINI BWANA SEED ARCHIVE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? SEPTEMBER 2009 PART ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? SEPTEMBER 2009 - PART TWO

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? AUGUST 2009 - PART ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? JULY 2009 - PART ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? JULY 2009 - PART ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? JUNE 2009 - PART ONE

IKO NIN BWANA SEED? JUNE 2009 - PART TWO

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? MAY 2009 - PART ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? APRIL 2009 - PART ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? APRIL 2009 - PART TWO

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - MARCH 2009

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? FEBRUARY 2009 - PART ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? FEBRUARY 2009 - TWO

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? FEBRUARY 2009 - THREE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - JANUARY 2009 - ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - JANUARY 2009  - TWO

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - DECEMBER, 2008 ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - DECEMBER TWO, 2008

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - NOVEMBER ONE, 2008

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - OCTOBER, 2008

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - SEPTEMBER 2008