Iko Nini Bwana Seed?

WHAT UK NEWSPAPERS SAY

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

  LISTEN TO HODSIM RADIO OF BISHOP WARUI  - LONDON

London, Sunday 10th January, 2010. Weather misery continues in the UK as thousands of tonnes of emergency gritting salt are being sent to hard-pressed councils around the UK as the freezing weather continues. Chemical company Ineos has diverted 12,000 tonnes of salt, bound for food and chlorine production in Germany. The first 50 trucks left the firm's Cheshire depot on Sunday. UK councils use about 60,000 tonnes of salt daily. The Met Office has downgraded its severe weather warnings and now has advisories for snow and ice. The first 50 trucks started leaving the Ineos distribution facility in Runcorn, Cheshire, on Sunday morning and a further 50 are scheduled to leave on Monday. Ineos chief executive Harry Deans told the BBC: "We've had numerous requests from local governments and councils over the past couple of weeks. "12,000 tonnes of road salt will not solve the problem but it should make a difference in the places most severely affected."  The initial supplies will go to councils in East Yorkshire, Pembrokeshire, Gloucestershire, Bradford, Sheffield and Fife.

Sheep in Bridgnorth, Shropshire. They've been given a bale of hay because the grass is covered in snow. Photo: Matt Timmins. RIGHT: Startled hares run away in Chalgrove, Oxfordshire.

DO YOU KNOW?: About 135 million cups of tea per day is consumed in the UK while 70 million cups of coffee are consumed

Another disaster hits Kiambu town

Nairobi, Sunday 10th January, 2010. Kiambu town was yet hit again barely three months with another tragedy where two people have been confirmed dead today. The tragedy occurred this morning at 2.15am when the building which had been condemned went down due to the heavy rains being experienced in Kenya. In the morning Red Cross had received information that two people could have been in the rubble. By 1.00pm the body was recovered and taken to Kiambu Mortarty while the other body was recovered early morning.5 people living in houses nearby were also injured when the five storey building went  down and were rushed to Kiambu District hospital which is a stone through away from the scene. Briefing the press at the scene the Central Provincial Police Officer (PPO) John M'Mbijiwe said that the owner of the building was at the court on Friday and ordered to pull the dangerous building down. She also got a fine of KShs. 50,000.Now the police say they are looking for the owner to face fresh death charges.
 

This tragedy happened a few metres from the previous on just behind Kiambu bus station. Luckily all the tenants had moved when the owner got charged. Across the road, several families were given a three hour notice when a wall of their flat went down. This was done to avoid any tragedy. One of the flats is owned by Kamindi family who are connected to Njenga Karume a Kiambu tycoon. The rescue machinery arrived late at 9.30am and most of them were provided by the Chinese construction companies doing the Thika road. A government digger was last to arrive when the job had commenced. Rescue still going on. - Photo by Karaga wa Njuguna, Nairobi, Kenya.

Meet the Abrahams at the Kenya High Commission

I had not noticed and an elderly farmer from Kiambu Mr. Kiarie was quick to notice: "Mr. Seed, why are all this people called Abraham?. The immigration attaché we met is Mr. Abraham Mwaura (left), the High Commissioner is H.E. Ephraim Waweru Ngare (centre) and the first man we saw the Agricultural Attache was Abrham Barno (right)." he concluded. "I hear you Mzee, I had not noticed", Mr. Seed explained.

Beautiful offices of Martyns & Rose Solicitors with a free bus ride
 

"What a beautiful office?", Mr. Seed asked Mrs. Rose Mungai of Martyns & Rose Solicitors on Friday 8th January, 2010. A dynamic Law firm with extensive experience in various areas of law based near Heathrow Airport in West London. The Lawyers understand and appreciate the complexity of the legal system thus work towards helping clients achieve their goals by combining the highest standards through practical experience and specialist knowledge. The firm has unrivalled scale and depth of Legal Resources and focuses on the core areas of Immigration law & Asylum law, Point Based System applications- Student and work permit , Family re-union, Employment Law, Criminal & Civil litigation, and Children and Family law. The offices are situated in West London at the Vista Business Centre which is a Landmark building in Hounslow (Tallest Building in Hounslow). The offices are located near Hatton Cross underground station (Piccadilly line) and 10 minutes walk from Hounslow West underground station (Piccadilly Line). The offices are also easily accessible to the M4 jnct 3, A4 and A30 motorways. A free mini bus service to Hounslow West underground station is available from the offices from 7.30 am-10.30am morning and 4.00pm to 7.00pm evening. A free 423 London Transport Bus Service from Hatton Cross underground station to the free Airport Travel Zone near the offices. There is free car parking. Martyns & Rose Solicitors, 2nd floor, Vista Business Centre, 50 Salisbury Road, Hounslow, TW4 6JQ. Tel: 0208 538 1397/8, Fax: 0208 538 1396, Mobile: 07931 116 124 - Web: www.martynsrosesolicitors.co.uk

One Top 10 Deserts

The usual words that one naturally associates with the term – deserts are; sand, heat, dry, utter chaos! Anyway you do not always have to feel dread every time you think of vast stretches of desert land as we have summed up around ten of the best deserts in the world. Here you can take a look at all eth reasons why some of these beautiful, amazing and sometimes downright lovely deserts should not give you the sinking feeling inside. Take a look at what makes these deserts some of the best in the world.

1. Salar de Uyuni:

This desert, located in Bolivia would change your conception of the idea of deserts completely. It happens to be the largest salt desert in the world but the beauty of the place is exceptional. The desert is completely flat and the so large and crystal in its salty nature that the whole sky seems to be reflected in it creating the ground in different shades of blue. Another beautiful aspect of the desert is the numerous lakes that you will find here; these lakes are in multiple colors because of the minerals that make it up. The effect of these soothing colors is remarkable. - CLICK HERE FOR MORE

More Snow On Way But Less Than First Feared

Forecasters had warned that up to 20cm of snow could settle today and tomorrow causing a fresh round of travel disruption. But it now seems that the snow showers may not be as heavy as first predicted. The Met Office said revised forecasts showed that only the very highest ground could expect to see such levels. Most areas, including the East of England, the South East, Wales, the Pennines and London should now only expect between 1cm and 5cms. Sky weather presenter Lucy Versamy said: "A few centimetres of snow is likely in some spots - possibly up to 20cm or more over the higher ground, such as the Costwolds, Welsh mountains and Pennines - particularly on windward slopes. "With the stiff winds there will be drifting and blowing snow giving poor visibility. "Across most of southern England there'll be a wintry mixture of rain sleet and snow - mostly light, sporadic snow on and off through the course of the day.

London, Sunday 10th January, 2010. Freezing temperatures and icy conditions have killed at least six people across the country in the past 48 hours in UK. Among those to die were a darts fan who drowned in a freezing country club lake, while a firefighter slipped on ice and cracked his head, an angler fell from a collapsing cliff and a boy was killed in a collision with a lorry Philip Hughes, 45, was at the Lakeside Country Club in Surrey to watch the British Darts Organisation World Championships but his body was found under ice covering a lake at the venue yesterday. A sea fisherman was casting off the Northumberland coast near Newbiggin-by-the-Sea when a section of cliff collapsed, burying him under rocks and rubble 15m (50ft) below. Coastguards described the crumbling cliff as ‘perilous’ and said that frost and ice had further weakened it. A 16-year-old boy was killed and his mother seriously injured after they were involved in a car crash and were then hit by a lorry. The teenager was travelling in a blue Peugeot with his 46-year-old mother when they crashed into the central reservation on the A1 near Richmond, North Yorkshire, at around 10pm on Wednesday.

The pair, from Hebburn in Northumbria, got out of the car following the collision and were thought to be making their way to the hard shoulder when they were struck by an HGV travelling on the road. A 71-year-old woman who died on Wednesday after her car crashed on an icy road in Shetland, Scotland, was yesterday named as Patricia Angela O’Sulliven. Fireman Gareth Wyn Rees, 50, from Wales, fell when walking home with a colleague at 12.30am on Wednesday. ‘We are obviously devastated at what has happened. We live in a close-knit community in Harlech and he was well regarded by all,’ said his son, Iwan. Meanwhile, a man in his 20s is fighting for his life after smashing into a tree while speeding down a steep, icy slope at Alexandra Palace, in north London, on a sledge. And six-year-old Thomas Hudson remained critical yesterday after he fell through the ice of a private lake in Crookham Common, Berkshire.

Yes, it is in Kenya, sasa iko matata

Tens of thousands of Kenyan commuters were left stranded, forced to walk long distances or squeeze onto alternative transport because of a strike by minibus-taxis known as matatus.

Bishop JB Masinde and Eva. Teresia Wairimu for a London crusade

Emmanuel Celebration Centre once again extend a very warm welcome to our 2010 annual conference. Days of Destiny to be held from Wednesday 20th to Sunday 24th January at Langley Community Centre, Langley Road, Slough, SL1 8BY.  All who have since attended these conferences can attest to its changing power of lives, with Gods awesome touch evident. We believe that after the conference, you will surely be ready to face all sorts of setbacks that have stood your way; ready to take up the year with a bright start. We look forward to seeing your lives touched as you join us on these days.  We are privileged once more to have the servants of God, Bishop J.B Masinde from Kenya, Rev. Teresia Wairimu from Kenya, Rev. T.A Ralekholela from South Africa and guest artist Noel Robinson UK.  God richly bless you, as you worship with us.

Evangelist Teresia Wairimu (left), Bishop JB Masinde (centre) coming for the London conference which has been hosted by Pastor Peter Kamau and Pauline Kamau Right). - CLICK HERE FORE MORE

'Dead man' wakes up as autopsy starts

A man declared dead after being hit by a car woke up when coroners began his autopsy. Manas Deo, 44, was injured after being run over on Christmas Day. Doctors signed his death certificate after finding no pulse. "It was a surprise for the hospital staff and family members when he woke up," said poice in eastern Jajpur. He is now recovering.

Landslides triggered by heavy rain in areas around the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro have claimed more than 60 lives. In Morro da Carioca at least 12 people died when a section of hillside gave way. RIGHT: Bulgarians took to the icy waters in Sofia in a competition to retrieve a cross thrown into the middle of a lake by an Eastern Orthodox priest on Epiphany Day.

Man stabbed to death chasing muggers in Ilford Lane, Barking

A man has been stabbed to death while chasing thieves who had snatched a woman's handbag in east London. Sukhwinder Singh, 31, was attacked on Friday evening as he pursued two men who had mugged a 28-year-old woman near Barking station. Mr Singh, a builder, had chased the men along Victoria Road, into Uphall Road, where he was stabbed at about 1900 GMT, the Metropolitan Police said. The father-of-one was taken to the Royal London Hospital but died. Police said Mr Singh was an Indian national who had lived in the UK for about 10 years. According to the Met, he had cousins in Barking but his family lived in India. Police have set up a cordon around the murder scene and officers have been searching bins in Victoria Road. Mohammad Jubran, 22, who lives in Victoria Road, said: "I was just coming back from the gym and, when I got home, my mum said she heard someone screaming, calling out 'Don't let them run'. "It's terrible. I've been living here for 16 years and it's the first time I have heard someone has been murdered. "It was a brave thing he did." The two suspects were described as black, aged in their 20s to 30s, and both were about 5ft 7in to 6ft. Detective Inspector John Sandlin said Mr Singh was not connected to the woman whose bag was snatched.

Worms frustrate farmers’ hopes

American ball worms have invaded farms in Machakos district, dashing hopes of food security in the area which suffered severe drought last year. Mike Mulwa Mandela and his wife Margaret, who have a six-acre farm teeming with maize, are the envy of many in Mbooni district.  This is especially because Ukambani is still reeling from the effects of a long drought that decimated livestock and left farms scorched and their owners destitute. So when the rains finally came late last year, the couple began to nurse hopes of being able to feed their children without relying on government relief food.  They tilled the land and sowed their seeds and, this time, the rains did not disappoint. Looking at their healthy maize crop, they beam with pride. But this pride is fading fast after the arrival of worms that are destroying crops. Now, Mr Mulwa and other farmers in the region are alarmed as both army worms and American ball worms advance menacingly through their fields. “The insects don’t sleep. They attack and destroy crops with amazing speed,” Mrs Mulwa said. Their appeals to agricultural extension officers to help them control the worms have been in vain. It is an expensive job, and some farmers have spent up to Sh10,000 on pesticides.

Terror suspect had jumped bail in Kenya

A terror suspect arrested in Denmark for attacking a cartoonist condemned by Muslim extremists jumped bail in Kenya and fled to Europe last September, the Sunday Nation can reveal. The man – identified by Kenyan anti-terrorism officials as Muhidin Gelle – was in intelligence crosshairs while in Kenya and stands accused of planning a terror attack in Nairobi during the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.  The anti-terrorism officials traced Mr Gelle to a residence in Eastleigh where he had gone to visit another man who is high on Kenya’s anti-terrorism watch list. The man in whose company he was found, the Sunday Nation learnt, is a one-legged student of Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, who is believed to have been killed last September 14 in a US special forces commando strike south of Mogadishu. As it turned out, Mr Gelle, who was suspected to be an Al Shabaab field commander, did not have any identification documents on him, but under interrogation, he gave his full name and claimed to be a Danish citizen. Kenyan authorities contacted the Danish Embassy which confirmed that there was a passport holder with such a name.

Man dies after Wrexham petrol station 'queue jump row'

A man has died following an alleged row over queue jumping at a supermarket petrol station. The 62-year-old collapsed on the forecourt of the Asda garage in Wrexham while refuelling his car at around 2000 GMT on Friday. He was taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead. A man, 43, has been bailed on suspicion of committing public order offences after he allegedly verbally abused the older man before he collapsed.

Family sent grandmother's brain in a bag of personal belongings

American family discover brain among personal effects

A family in New Mexico in the United States was mortified when they found their recently deceased grandmother's brain had been sent to them with her personal effects.  The bag, which had been sent to them by the DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola Valley, New Mexico, was left inside a family member's truck overnight, and when one of the family noticed a 'foul odour', they soon made the gruesome discovery. Opening the bag, they found among their gran's possessions a bag labelled with her name and the word 'Brain', the lawsuit alleges. "No loved one's brain should ever be part of those belongings," said lawyer Richard Valle, representing the family. Johnny DeVargas, owner of the funeral parlour, insisted his company was not at fault and that blame lay with another funeral home in neighbouring Utah. "All I can say is DeVargas did absolutely nothing wrong and that the family was well cared for," DeVargas told the Albuquerque Journal. "The family was very meticulously cared for and they were very pleased with our service."  The woman, identified only by her initials in the lawsuit, was killed in a road accident in Utah last September.

Tiger Woods 'had gay sex', model alleges

An Italian model is trying to sell her book which she says will reveal the whole truth about the golf champion's sex life.

An Italian model has claimed that she witnessed golfer Tiger Woods engaging in gay sexual encounters. Loredana Jolie Ferriolo has been going round to publishers trying to sell her tell-all book about her alleged trysts with the shamed golfer. She recently told Radaronline.com that her book would expose the truth about Tiger's 'healthy appetite for arranged sex, threesomes, girls-next-door, girl-girl, and an answer to all the rumours surrounding Woods' sexuality'. A representative of Ferriolo's also confirmed to the gossip site that she is 'in talks with a number of publishing companies regarding as tell-all book deal'. However, the Sicilian-born model has already tried once to sell her book, but no one was interested in paying $1 million (just over £627,000) for her revelations. She's obviously hoping some one will take up her offer this time round. And anyway, just what are 'girls-next-door'?

A Kenyan young lady has passed away in the UK. Miss Augusta Gathoni of Reading UK passed away on Wednesday 6th January 2010 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading. She hailed from Nakuru  Kenya. Daughter to Mr. Joseph Mbuthi and Ms Assumpta Wangui Niece to Margaret Njoroge and Joseph Njenga of Reading UK. The late Ms Gathoni was visiting UK when she developed serious health complications within 3 months and has since been hospitalised for about 72 days. Daily meetings and Prayers are being held at Mr Njenga’s Residence – 17 Westfield Road, Winnersh, Reading, RG41 5ES, 6-10pm. The main Harambee Fundraising to help with expenses will be held on Sunday 10th January 2010 at 4.00 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace & Blessed Dominic Barberi Catholic Church, 338 Wokingham Road, Earley, Reading, Berkshire. RG6 7DA (Three Tuns off Wokingham Road – Bus No. 17 end). For more information please contact the following: Margaret Njoroge – 07904504344, Joseph Njenga – 07946729319 or Timothy Kanyonji – 07988050703. Friends and well wishers who might not be able to make to the meetings can send their contributions to the following Account: Acc Names: Margaret Muiruri, Sort Code 54-30-33, Acc Number 37515667 and the Bank is Natwest.

The late Miss Augusta Gathoni

A Kenyan lady has passed away in the Maryland, USA. The late Mrs. Rose A.M. Osunga Kodula. Mrs Kodula passed away on Wednesday morning, 6th January 2010 at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Rockville, Maryland following a long illness bravely borne. According to her daughter Lillian, she had been having problems with her health since 2007 and come to U.S in May 2009 for medical treatment. Mrs. Osunga Kodula was wife to James O. Kodula and mother to Lillian, Eva and Noreen Kodula all of Maryland USA, Tom, Kenneth and George (Kenya). Our condolences and prayers are with the bereaved family as they grieve the loss of a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and sister-in-law. Family and friends are meeting daily for prayers and support at: 9309 Taverney Terrace, Gaithersburg, MD 20879. A tentative date of Saturday January 16th, has been set for a fundraiser to assist in costs of taking Mrs. Kodula home (Kenya) to rest. Venue and time to be confirmed later. The account below has also been set up for contributions. James O. Kodula, Bank of America, Routing Number - 540060102, Account Number - 381020081210. For more information, please contact the following people: Kodula’s – 301-519-0773 / 301-537-4479, Grace Mumbi Ngugi – 301-938-6726, Kaka – 301-938-6704, Matilda – 240-994-4679 or Lucy Kihanya-McCoy – 240-432-5829. - Diasporamessenger.

The late Mrs. Rose A.M. Osunga Kodula

DO YOU KNOW?: Kenya coffee commands less than one percent of the coffee used in the UK market, Uganda commands 4 per cent but when it comes to tea Kenya commands 78 per cent of the UK while India commands 22 per cent.

Britain is bracing itself for icy blasts as the freezing weather

London, Saturday 9th January, 2010. Britain is bracing itself for icy blasts as the freezing weather looks set to continue over the weekend. The forecast came as the government stepped in to conserve road-gritting stocks due to dwindling salt supplies. The Transport Secretary, Lord Adonis, said local authorities had agreed to cut salt use by 25%. The Conservatives have said that the government's move is "an admission of utter failure" and plans should have been made earlier. As temperatures remained at sub-zero levels, at least 24 people are believed to have died since before Christmas in weather-related incidents. The latest are two brothers who died in hospital in Leicester after falling through the ice at Watermead Country Park.  Police say members of the public used ropes in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue the brothers. Forecasters say it will feel colder overnight because of an "increased wind chill" coming from Germany and Poland. Up to 20cm (7.8in) of snow is forecast for parts of South Yorkshire and the south of London - from Essex to Brighton. Lord Adonis announced the salt cut decision following a meeting of the "Salt Cell" - a body made up of ministers, the Highways Agency and local authorities. Supplies of salt have been close to running out in some areas, with many councils restricting gritting to major roads. The government has ordered salt from abroad but this is not due to arrive until 21 January. Shadow local government and communities secretary Caroline Spelman told BBC Radio 5 live the government had failed to listen to a warning report by councils published last year on the matter. However Lord Adonis rejected these claims. Forecasters have warned that the freezing conditions could last at least another week.

Two of the largest lakes in Cumbria - Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite - have almost frozen over

Travel problems persist, with passengers advised to check their flight's status before going to the airport:

• Easyjet cancelled about 30 flights at airports including Gatwick, Liverpool, Belfast and Stansted. All airports are now open, though suffering from widespread delays
• British Waterways said nearly 90% of its 2,200-mile (3,540-km) river and canal network had frozen solid
• Train companies operating revised timetables include East Coast, ScotRail, First Great Western, South West Trains, Southern and Southeastern, while Eurostar is operating a restricted service until Sunday
• Rail passengers travelling through Birmingham are warned of severe delays because of signalling problems at New Street. This affects some Virgin Trains, Arriva Trains Wales, CrossCountry, London Midland and Wrexham and Shropshire services
• Snow and ice forced the closure of a lane of the M58 near Kirkby, Merseyside, and one in each direction on the M48 Severn Bridge Updates can be found at BBC Travel News
• The weather is causing major disruption to the weekend's sporting programme, with football's Premier League among those affected

The RAC said its patrol teams were receiving about 1,500 calls an hour - more than twice as many as normal.

But nearly 100 businesses were forced to stop using gas by the National Grid as it tried to ration supplies after demand in the UK reached record levels.

Kenya's coffee farmers looking for direct market in UK

Mr. Stephen Kamau Kiarie a farmer from Githunguri visited the offices of the Kenya High Commissioner in the UK on Friday 8th January, 2010 with one thing in mind - how can we sell our coffee without the middle man. Mr. Kiarie (left photo on right) met Mr. Abraham Barno the Agricultural Attache at the mission (left) where Mr. Kiarie explained that the farmers want to sell their coffee directly without using the middle as all the profit is taken by the middle man leaving the farmers with nothing. Mr. Kiarie from Komothai Coffee Cooperative Society Mill explained that they have one of the best processing factories and their coffee was of good quality. He has been sent by the cooperative to see how the commission can help. Mr. Barno explained to Mr. Kiarie that the government is taking up the issue and when the funds becomes available where they will start several coffee shops in London. "This has been our idea to have some Kenya coffee shops where you would get the very fine Kenyan coffee without involving the middle man. The shops would also act as a link between the farmers and buyers". Later Mr. Kiarie met the new Kenya High Commissioner  H.E. Ephraim Waweru Ngare (right photo) who assured him that the commission will help them to pursue their goals. Mr. Kiarie contact in the UK is 07760522699 and in Kenya 0721427015.

African migrants riot over 'racist' attack in Italy

Several people have been injured in rioting that broke out in southern Italy after an attack on immigrant farm workers by local youths. The migrants, mainly Africans, clashed with police after taking to the streets of the Calabrian town of Rosarno. They were protesting after youths in a car used air rifles to shoot and hurt several immigrants returning from working on the farms. Hundreds of illegal immigrants work in the mainly agricultural region. They are often employed as day labourers picking fruit and vegetables. Regional governor Agazio Loeiro described the migrants' actions as "unacceptable" but said there had been strong provocation. The protesters clashed with police in riot gear after taking to the streets on Thursday night. Cars were burned and shop windows smashed. Many shouted "We are not animals" and carried signs saying "Italians here are racist", Reuters news agency reports. Several of the protesters have been arrested. The Corriere della Sera newspaper said 14 Italians and six immigrants had been injured.

Child Sacrifices on the Rise in Uganda as Witch Doctors Expand Their Practices

Human sacrifice is on the increase in Uganda according to a government spokesman. This barbaric crime is directly linked to rising levels of development and prosperity, and an increasing belief that witchcraft can help people get rich quickly. Witch doctors claim they have clients who regularly capture children and bring their blood and body parts to be consumed by spirits. One witch doctor confessed for the first time to having murdered about 70 people, including his own son. According to media reports, the witch doctors revealed that some of their clients capture other people’s children and bring the heart and the blood directly to them to take to the spirits. They are brought in small tins and are placed under a tree from which the voices of the spirits are coming. Clients come on average three times a week, with all that the spirits asks them to bring. The witch-doctors deny any direct involvement in murder or incitement to murder. They claim that spirits speak directly to their clients.

Witch doctors are paid about 500,000 Ugandan shillings, equivalent of about $260 for a consultation. The head of the Anti-Human Sacrifice and Trafficking Task Force in Uganda, assistant commissioner Moses Binoga of the Ugandan police, said that witch doctors operate in a network and have bosses who give instructions and receive the bulk of payment made by clients. The bosses involve in one of five or six witch-doctor protection rackets operating in the country. The Assistant commissioner went on to say that the senior ones extort money from lower people because they deal in illegal things. He said that police had opened 26 murder cases in 2009, in which the victim appeared to have been ritually sacrificed, compared with just three cases in 2007. He also said that they have about 120 children and adults reported missing whose fate they have been unable to trace. They cannot rule out that they may be victims of human sacrifice, he said. Child protection campaigners in the country believe the real number is much higher, as some disappearances are not reported to the police.

Kenya's swimming team photographed at the Moi International Sports Centre in the capital, Nairobi, practising ahead of an African Swimming Confederation (CANA) championship which begins in East African nation on Friday 9th January, 2010.

Skilled migrant workers get identity cards for foreign nationals

Home Office, 06 January 2010

From today, identity cards for foreign nationals are being rolled out to another category of migrant: skilled workers and their dependants. In November 2008, the UK Border Agency started issuing compulsory identity cards to certain categories of non-European foreign nationals when they were granted permission to extend their stay in the UK. Since then we have twice widened the range of categories that require the identity card - for more information about who needs an identity card, download the table from the right side of this page. If a migrant in one of these categories applies to extend their stay in the UK, they must enrol their biometrics (fingerprints and facial image) before we decide whether to give them permission to stay. If their application is successful, they will be given an identity card. The card provides a simple way of confirming the holder's nationality, identity and immigration status in the UK. It shows whether they have the right to work or study legitimately under the UK's points-based system for immigration, and helps them to access public services. The changes do not affect the settled population, foreign nationals who are seeking to settle here, or applicants in other immigration categories (who continue to receive a vignette in their passport when they extend their stay).

The police are now using a chopper to beat the traffic in Nairobi

Nairobi, Saturday 9th January, 2010. The police are now using a chopper to beat the traffic in Nairobi. This seems to be the New year's resolution for the police but the question is: For how long are they going to use this chopper to beat the traffic in Nairobi with the credit crunch still biting? Police have now resorted to using a helicopter in clearing traffic jams in Nairobi, which have been overwhelming in the past three days. Nairobi PPO Antony Kibuchi said yesterday use of the chopper would enhance fast response from traffic personnel to where jams are, to open them. He said the city has been experiencing unprecedented traffic jams, which last several hours. The chopper yesterday made several rounds in the city in efforts to clear the problem. To address the problem, traffic personnel have also been mobilised and posted to various junctions to control the flow of the vehicles. Mr Kibuchi said police on the helicopter would be liaising with those on the ground on where they spot traffic snarl-ups in efforts to respond to the scene. "We have also been noticed the situation and have taken various measures to address it. The chopper will also be used in crime detection and fighting," he said.

Muslims protests in Nairobi against preacher's deportation

Muslims have angrily responded to the move to by the Kenya government to arrest and deport a prominent Muslim preacher, Sheikh Abdullah Ibrahim Al Faisal to Gambia. Human rights officials said that Sheikh Faisal could have been deported to Gambia against his own will after Immigration Minister Otieno Kanjwang refused to show them the deportation order as well as KQ Manifest to prove that he has been deported to Gambia at his own will. Al Amin Kimathi said Sheikh Faisal had initially wished to be sent back to Jamaica. Mr Kimathi however said that if the documents are not available on Friday next week then after the prayers all the Muslims will walk to Immigration Minister's office at Nyayo house to get those documents. He was speaking this afternoon outside Jamia mosque after prayers. Photo and story by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi.

UK set for coldest night of winter with lows of -20C. Snow and ice are set to continue causing problems across the UK with warnings that Thursday night 7th January, 2010 could be the coldest of the winter so far. Temperatures could plummet to -20C (-4F), including in parts of the South, setting new local records. UK-wide severe weather warnings of ice are in place amid freezing temperatures and "nightmare" side road conditions. Thousands of schools have remained shut and travel problems continue, while power cuts have hit thousands of homes. Temperatures barely rose above freezing on Thursday, remaining between -8C and 0C in most parts of the UK after plummeting to nearly -18C on Wednesday night. The icy weather is predicted to continue for days to come, with more snow for eastern England overnight and on Friday. Strong north-easterly winds are forecast for southern England, with warnings this could cause snow to drift. More snow is forecast for central and southern parts of the UK on Sunday. Many councils are restricting gritting to major roads as supplies dwindle, with supplies in some areas close to running out. A survey of councils by the BBC found most had enough supplies to last another two to five days but were unable to meet guidelines brought in after the snowfall of February 2009 that they should have at least six days' supply.  Demand for gas in the UK is believed to have hit a new record on Thursday as people attempt to keep their homes warm through the severely cold weather. The National Grid estimates usage will reach 455.3m cubic metres. The current record is 449m cubic metres, set on 7 January 2003. The National Grid has had to issue its second alert in three days, asking suppliers to provide more gas. Some factories have also been asked to switch from gas to other power sources.

Coldest night of the year today Friday 8th Jan. 2010

The UK is bracing itself for what could be the coldest night of the winter so far, with temperatures set to plummet as low as -20C.

Snow stories from around the UK

Wintry weather has caused problems right across the UK, with schools closing, shops running low on supplies and transport services grinding to a halt. As well as the big headlines, there have also been many tales of personal struggle, and more positive experiences of coping with - and even enjoying - the snow and ice.  Here is a round-up of some of those stories.

• Scott, in Woolwich, told the BBC: "I have been stuck at work since Wednesday. I am on crutches and cannot walk on the snow and ice. I decided last night to spend the night in the office as I felt it was too dangerous to venture out in the city."
• Ricky Cooper, in Edmonton, said: "I couldn't go to the cemetery on Wednesday to visit my dad on what would have been his 49th birthday as there was not a single grain of grit anywhere in sight. Instead I had to stay home feeling guilty while taking down my Christmas decorations."
• Travellers suffered at Heathrow airport when bad weather forced cancellations and long delays. Darragh Cullen waited on the runway for seven hours before finally being told his trip to Los Angeles had been scrapped.
• Carlaparry wrote on Twitter: "Just had a snow break on Hampstead Heath & saw 2 grown men sledging using 2 kids' rubber rings & a plastic sheet. Amazingly it worked."

• An eight-year-old boy had to be rescued by helicopter after his family got stuck in the snow in Nottinghamshire while driving him to hospital for a kidney transplant.
• Two boys who had to be rescued by firefighters after taking a shortcut across a frozen lake were suspended from their Derbyshire school.
• One man told the BBC he could see a very positive side to the snow in Birmingham: "Walking in the snow yesterday, it was very cheering to be called 'Good morning' to and have some banter with nearly everyone else on foot. Shows how isolating cars are and also how the British generally deal with adversity with good humour."
• Another BBC correspondent in Nottingham joked that among the schools closed in his area was Sir Edmund Hillary Primary, Worksop - "What would he have made of it?", he asked.

• At Aylesford School Sports College, in Kent, pupils had their coats confiscated despite freezing temperatures because they did not meet uniform regulations
• While some have been having problems with deliveries, others like Ian, in Lightwater, Surrey, were impressed by their supermarket's perseverance - in his case, Ocado. "The delivery guy arrived early, but I couldn't see his van," he wrote. "He told me he got as far as the end of our road, then pushed a trolley laden with our crates through the snow for half-a-mile!"
• Joseph Kent, in Woking, Surrey, wrote to the BBC about the impact of school and sixth-form closures: "One of the biggest issues is whether January examinations will be taking place. I assume most sixth-form students are using their time off to revise anyway... when they're not building snow forts, of course!"
• In Brighton and Hove, members of the public responded to an appeal by the city council for four-wheel drive vehicles to help deliver meals on wheels to vulnerable people.

Man's penis freed from metal pipe with industrial grinder

A man who got his penis stuck in a steel pipe had to be cut free by firefighters using a metal grinder, after doctors in casualty could not free his genitals from their metal trap. Medics at Southampton General Hospital struggled to get the man's penis out of the stainless steel pipe, because the restricted blood flow had caused it to become erect.  Instead, they resorted called in Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. The fire crew turned up with a special equipment unit from St Mary's station in Southampton and seven firefighters to help, in what a spokesman understatedly described as a 'delicate operation'. The firefighters used the four-and-a-half-inch industrial metal grinder to cut the pipe from around the anaesthetised man's penis. The penis was left bruised and swollen, but otherwise unharmed by its traumatic day. The man, thought to be aged around 40, did not explain to hospital staff how exactly the pipe got stuck around his penis, after he presented himself at the hospital's Accident & Emergency department on Tuesday morning. He was said to be 'quite concerned and anxious'.

Hi mambo gani ya kuuzana

Ina semekana eti wale watu wanarundishwa nyumbani wana pigia mji simu kushitaki wale wako huku chini ama wamejipeana na manjina zingine au nchi zingine. Wanapeana majina zote, pale wanaishi na pale wanafanya kazi. Sasa mji wanapigia watu simu wakiwaita majina zao zote wakiwambia waka report immediately karibu na pale wanaishi.  Sana sana, Leicester na Northampton. Kama uko chini ama umejipeana na majina zingine au na nchi zingine na huna wakili tafuta wakili. Afadhali mkanjiandikishe kwa wakili kwa sababu mambo imeharibika na hivi karibuni hamjui nini itafanyika. Hata kama uko na makaratasi ni vizuri kuwa na wakili.  Mmoja wa wale arikua anakaa North na alirudishwa nyumbani karibu Christmas. Alipofika Nairobi akasema at wengi watamfuata. Wakwasa ni dada ya ambae leo ameitwani Mji mkuu kuhusu majina ya na akabiwa awe analipoti. Inasemka ameuza agencies na homes huko North.  Kaa macho.

Identity crisis - So who do we tell your children we are  

By Macharia wa Gakuru wa Mukunya wa Gacicio wa Kimamo wa Macharia

gakuruma@googlemail.com – Tel: 07947893396.

It was beginning of November last year that I went to see Mr. Karanja – popularly known as Mr. Seed. We sometimes meet just to update ourselves and me being a story teller I find him very interesting to talk to. Peter deals with our community day in day out.  This time round he was telling me of his own identity – who he is and where he came from. All this I am sure he will tell you at his own terms and his time but how interesting to know ourselves.

My writing is not about those who truly know who they are – but those of us who are destroying and killing the identity of our children in the name of being English.

I went to visit a family in Cardiff in Wales In United Kingdom – somewhere in the corridor of M4  travelling west from London .. This family have a son who is about – 14 years old. I like to tease young men as I like knowing if they know themselves. Knowing how Kenyans are religious I will ask you to look in the identity of the Son of God - Jesus. Whist even in the family line of Jesus Mary is not mentioned and Joseph in line with Abraham and Isaac ( Abraham - promised to be a father of great nation) did not biologically contribute to birth of Jesus. So only DNA of Mary was in Jesus. Well I know many Christian are asking who am I to question God. I am questioning theology vs science.  What God says He does.  

Lets look into the issue.  In the bible in the book of Mathews 16:16 Jesus wanted to know if his fellow Jews knew who he actually was. The bible records:

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.."

 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.." Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Back on earth  I would like to remind you of the most powerful man in the world.  I want to say we have the same heritage I will call him the Kenyan African American the first ever black man to be the president of the United states of America – Barrack Obama. To be more precise this man hails from the tribe of Luo in the village of   Kogelo , which is in Siaya District, Nyanza district, Kenya in East Africa .

According to his book ‘the dreams of my father’  he is a son of Barack Hussein Obama. In his analysis American writer Jack Cashill who analyzed Obama’s book to the letter writes, ‘if it were not for Obama’s finding his own roots it would have been very difficult to force his way to Whitehouse’.  If the boy with a ‘ funny name’  (as he describes himself  in his book ) would have found  impossible to convince the highly sceptical white majority Americans that he is not a Muslim and was a product of one of their own white family of Irish decent and convince the children of former slaves – the African American – that he was one of them. To fully convince them to vote for him as the most powerful man in the world and that he was a total American who would guard their constitution and not a Kenyan or a Muslim as many opponents wanted them to believe.

Obama was able to convince majority of Americans  because he went to Kenya and found his own roots.  He connected himself with his own blood, his real relatives by blood, his soil where his dad, his forefathers were born, the food of his people, the air and environment his native culture, he heard his people talking and he was accepted as one of them – a Luo.

The credit to Obamas identity goes to his mother Ann Dunham An anthropologist from Wichita , Kansas - Why?. This white woman well educated and from a middle class background never took ‘Obama’s identity’ from him. She knew there was a lot in a name. Despite Obama’s father – Obama just depositing ‘the special seed’ and left she never denied the soon his true identity an African and told Obama of his father and how she met him. Obama senior  did not take responsibility of raising the current president of United states of America . All credit goes to Ann and Obamas grandmother Madelyn Dunham  known as Tutu – Cucu to Obama.

Going to the roots - Obama and his grandmother in Kenya when he went to search for his roots

The identity is much more solidified by Sarah Anyango Obama, step-grandmother of Barack Obama. When Obama visited his native homeland she received his grandchild with both hands, cooked Kwon and Buta for him, took him to till the land, carry cow grass and all the things that most of you immigrant parents did. This made the American president identify himself fully - he belonged here - Luoland. He was loved, his identity was complete.

This is not the case  with many or some of our children. After the parents acquire the British passport they forget their roots. The other day I met a child. He is 12 years old British born of Kenyan parents.

Hallo, I called in greetings – well I said

‘Habari- Niatia?’, - I enquired as I held the boys hand.

‘What,’ asked the boy

‘He is asking you how are you,’ the father intervened

‘Fine,’ replied the boy now feeling uncomfortable.

‘Witagwo atia?,’ I continued.

‘What,?’ the boy replied ‘I don’t understand your language!’, as the boy tried to pull his hand away from me.

Again the father intervened – ‘He is asking you what is your name.’

‘Ohh’, replied the boy in surprise

‘Edwin Moses,’ replied the boy

‘What is your Kenyan name?’, I now asked in English knowing that the boy does not understand anything that I said in Kikuyu or Kiswahili.

‘I don’t have any’ – replied the boy as he pulled himself away from me.

‘Children of today’, commented the dad noting that I was very uncomfortable, ‘they don’t want to know.’

It is from here I realized that these parents despite being in Britain for over fifteen years with British passport they had never taken their children to their roots. I also realized that all they talk in their house is English despite the fact that they both come from the same tribe and region – well what is wrong with that?. People raise their children the way they want – true true!!

If our children do not learn who they are then they will get lost in the crowd. As Peter will tell you he will take you to fourteenth century in his line of birth. So who do you tell your children you are?

This is who I identify myself and tell my children - I am Macharia wa Gakuru wa Mukunya wa Gacicio wa Kimamo wa Macharia – which takes me to late 1700’s. My Great grandfathers come from the tribe of Kikuyu who lives in Central Kenya in Nyeri District between Mount Kenya and at the slopes of Nyandarua Mountains – Othaya division, chinga Location in a place called Muirungi at the boarder of  today Muranga.  I am told that my great great grand parents ‘drunk the waters ’  of Gikira river that drains its water finally to Tana River.

Today the African Americans are flocking to Kogelo – Siaya District, Nyanza Province to  identify themselves with their African heritage -  the home of American president Barack Hussein Obama. Who do you tell your children you are?.

Happy new year.

In pictures: A freezing Europe

Snow and ice are causing traffic problems, especially in northern and western France: 14 regions have issued weather alerts. RIGHT: But some are taking advantage of the winter, like these sledge racers in the southern German town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Love-rat Tiger Woods sees psychiatrist

Shamed Tiger Woods is believed to be seeing a psychiatrist to help him cope with his sex scandal controversy. The golfing champion is receiving counselling as he takes refuge at the New York home of US sports mogul Jim Dolan, according to reports. ‘Tiger’s been seeing a shrink who goes to Dolan’s house,’ a source told US Weekly magazine. Mr Dolan – who owns the New York Knicks basketball team – is said to have put his fleet of private jets at his friend’s disposal. Woods, 34, has not been seen in public since revelations about his infidelity emerged last month. There had been speculation that he fled to a friend’s estate in Africa while he was also reported to have been seen at the Trump Tower hotel in Manhattan. His wife, Elin Nordegren, surfaced in France over Christmas, where she joined a group of friends and her twin sister for a skiing holiday.

METHALI YA KISWAHIL

Meno ya mbwa hayaumani.

The teeth of a dog do not lock together.

i.e brothers do not harm one another when they fight.

The man accused of attempting to blow up a US-bound airliner on Christmas Day was recruited by al Qaida in London, a senior minister in Yemen's government has claimed.

DC in court on graft charges

Laikipia West District Commissioner Javan Ombasso Sagero was Thursday charged in a Nakuru court for embezzling over 8.7 million shillings meant for the Internally Displaced Persons.  The DC faces the charge alongside Molo district IDPs chairman Paul Mogire Sindani whose warrant of arrest was issued as he was not in court to plead to the nine counts of fraud against him.  The DC is accused of providing false returns on the money that he received in support of the IDPs. He also faces a charge of including fake IDPs.   Mogero faces ten counts of forging 10 receipts purporting them to be genuine acknowledgment for the payment of 25000 shillings to ten people.   The accused are alleged to have committed the offences between the 10th of March 2009 and 22nd April 2009.The DC was released on a cash bail of 1 million shillings and the case against him will be heard on the 17th of February this year.  Meanwhile, a financial director of the Kenya National Examination Council was Thursday charged with fraud. Maurice Midenyo Opiyo was charged with conspiracy to defraud over 5.5 million shillings from the KNEC.  He allegedly committed the offence on the 19th of November 2009 at the Kenya National Examination council Headquarters. He was released on a cash bail of 100 thousand shillings.  The case against him will be heard on the 17th of January this year.  And in Maralal an administration police officer was jailed for one year for losing his G3 rifle. Bernard Eyomo Lirian pleaded guilty to the charges saying that he got drunk and left the gun to his girlfriend. Susuku Lemarkele who stole the gun was jailed for five years after pleading guilty to the offence.

Hermann Hesse, Demian: Wise Saying

If you hate a person, you hate something in something in him that is a part of yourself. What isn't part of ourselves doesn't disturb us.

That's how it was at Sandringham Primary School in Forest Gate, London.

PM appoints matatu taskforce

Prime Minister Raila Odinga Thursday appointed a taskforce to address grievances raised by matatu operators who went on strike earlier this week paralysing public transport countrywide.  Speaking during a meeting with stakeholders in the transport sector, the PM said the task force should give its report within a week.  He assured that the government will use dialogue with Matatu operators to address their grievances to avert strikes in the sector in future. He however noted that besides the Government doing its part, the sector needs to take responsibility of its operations.  "This means that matatu drivers should cease from over speeding, loud music and over hooting as well as overloading its passengers" he said.   He expressed confidence in the task force adding that roadblocks would be reduced and traffic police would undergo training to ensure that corruption is dealt with on Kenyan roads.  The PM was backed by the Internal Security PS Mr. Francis Kimemia who said that the Government would enforce the law to the letter. "The government is committed to enforcing the law and the report prepared by the task force will ensure this is done," he said. Matatu Welfare Association Chairman Dickson Mbugua expressed optimism that the task force would look into all their concerns and come up with adequate recommendations.  The meeting comes two days after association called off a nationwide strike to protest against police harassment and extortion. They also complained of stiff noise pollution regulations set out by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). 

Thousands left stranded as Eurostar breaks down in tunnel

Thousands of Eurostar passengers were left stranded in London, Paris and Brussels today after “fluffy” snow caused a train to break down in the Channel Tunnel. Five trains were then cancelled and almost all 27 services from the three capital cities were subject to long delays. Eurostar also announced a restricted schedule over the next few days, causing travel misery for thousands more. The breakdown followed an identical fiasco that halted the company's services for three days before Christmas. It came as nearly 100 UK factories were told today to switch from using gas to protect supplies to millions of homes. National Grid invoked powers under interruptible contracts to ask firms to use alternative energy supplies.  Under the 1970-style energy rationing, 55 major companies in the East Midlands were being given the instructions and 39 in the North-West. The firms can insist on continuing to use gas but would face penalties. Weekend sport has also been affected by the big freeze, with 18 matches today called off in the Football League. Only two Guinness Premiership rugby matches will go ahead and there will be no National Hunt racing until next Tuesday.

Darts fan found dead in frozen lake

A sports fan found dead in a frozen lake at the World Darts Championships is likely to have perished in a "tragic accident" involving the Arctic weather, the tournament's organisers have said. The body of Philip Hughes, 45, from Slough, was discovered in icy water at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, Surrey, at 10.45am on Thursday. The British Darts Organisation Lakeside World Championships is currently taking place at the venue. It is understood the darts fan had been staying at the complex to watch the championships, said a British Darts Organisation (BDO) spokesman. Surrey Police were alerted by a member of staff at the club. The force said the death was not being treated as suspicious. A police spokesman said: "The body has been taken to Frimley Park Hospital. A post mortem will be carried out and an inquest opened in due course."

‘Lawless’ Britain 25th best place to live, behind Lithuania.

Britain has been overtaken by former Eastern Bloc countries Lithuania and the Czech Republic in a poll of the best places to live. We dropped five spots to 25th, putting us behind Lithuania and the Czech Republic. A dismal climate, soaring crime rate and cost of living, congested roads and over-crowded cities were blamed for the poor performance. Some 200 countries were marked in nine categories, including culture and leisure, environment, safety, culture and weather – with Britain failing to triumph in any of them. France topped International Living magazine’s Quality of Life Index for the fifth year in a row, beating Australia and Switzerland into second and third places. ‘In France, life is savoured,’ said Jackie Flynn, the magazine’s publisher.

Big freeze: Britain facing coldest night of winter

Britain was bracing itself for the coldest night of the winter after parts of the country shivered in temperatures the same as a domestic freezer. Areas recorded lows of minus 17.7C (14F) today as the death toll continued to rise on another day of disruption. Among casualties as heavy snow turned to ice was a 16-year-old boy killed after the car he was travelling in crashed and was in collision with a lorry on the A1 near Richmond, North Yorkshire. Dwindling gritting stocks were also reaching crisis point as a series of accidents on some major routes added to difficulties for millions of drivers. Meanwhile, there was growing anger on behalf of parents as hundreds of thousands of children were given another day off school. Manchester Council leader Sir Richard Leese attacked headteachers, saying many closures "seem to be unnecessary". About 4,000 homes in southern England were also without power, with the worst affected area around Petersfield, in Hampshire. Lows of minus 17.7C (0.14F) in Benson, Oxfordshire, and Woodford, Greater Manchester, eclipsed minimum temperatures at many of Europe's famous ski resorts.

Wives of country’s top three leaders to earn massive perks

The spouses of the country’s top three leaders are set to earn huge allowances once the leaders retire from active politics. A report by the Akilano Akiwumi tribunal proposes that the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act be changed to give “some benefits” to the First Lady so that “she can continue to discharge those duties that she did while the President was in office.”  If passed in Parliament, past, present and future First Ladies will enjoy the allowances. The spouses of the Vice-President and Prime Minister will also be entitled to “a new car of choice” once their partners leave office — on condition that the car’s engine capacity must not exceed 3,000cc. They will also receive Sh25,000 for fuel every month, and the cars will be replaced with new ones every four years. The recommendations are contained in a secret report seen by the Nation. An 11-member team led by judge Akiwumi compiled the report after months of countrywide sittings. The tribunal was also to review salaries of MPs and Cabinet ministers.

Kenyan Man Helps Children with Heart Defects

Doctors estimate that more than 10,000 babies are born with a heart defect each year in Kenya. For most poor children and their families, life-saving operations are too expensive or unavailable. In this edition of VOA's "Making a Difference" series, we meet a man who helps poor children and their families to get the surgeries they need. - FULL STORY

Kenya finally deported to Gambia a Jamaican Muslim cleric who is on a global terror watch list and served four years in a British jail for inciting racial hatred. Sheik Abdullah el-Faisal left Thursday 7th January, 2010 on a Kenya Airways flight to Nigeria , where he will take a connecting flight to Banjul, Gambia. Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang  said the cleric chose to go Ganbia after the country accepted him.  "We had problems deporting him because many countries, including the US, declined to have him even on transit. But he finally chose a country where he wanted to go," told reporters. "He chose Gambia and we have deported him there this morning... In fact the information we have is that he has already landed there and Gambia has received him," Otieno added. El-Faisal was arrested on New Year's eve for violating the terms of his visa after entering Kenya from Tanzania through the Lunga Lunga border crossing at the Coast. He was taken into custody outside of a mosque in Mombasa.

He had been stuck in the country after nations including Britain, South Africa and Tanzania refused to let him transit through their countries. Airlines on Wednesday refused to allow him aboard their aircraft, frustrating efforts of the government to deport him.  The cleric once led a British mosque attended by convicted terrorists Richard Reid and Zacarias Moussaoui.  El-Faisal is also blamed for heavily influencing a suicide bomber who took part in attacks on London's transit network in 2005 that killed 52 people. El-Faisal once served four years in a British prison for inciting murder and stirring racial hatred. The head of Jamaica's Muslim community expressed alarm Wednesday over the pending return of el-Faisal. Mustafa Muhammad said he would encourage Jamaica's Muslims to "pay close attention to anything that raises alarms" if el-Faisal returns.    

No beer and no cigarettes - we are a missionary town

Did you know that Kijabe town which would suitably be called a Missionary town is the only town may be in Central Province (Kenya) that does not sell booze and fags. What a Godly town!!!!! An underpass before Kijabe town. One car at a time since the time the railway line above was built. This help to screen the sinners. - Story and photo by Karuga wa Njuguna

With deep sadness and sorrow, we inform you that Joyce Njihia (Mama Christine) of London, Irene (Mama Sam) of Coventry and Benson Mukiri (Baba Njuguna) of Nottingham have lost their father Mr. Francis Njuguna Maina back in Kenya. He died after a short illness on the morning of Tuesday the 5th January 2010. Friends and well wishers are meeting on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (6th,7th and 8th January 2010 between 6-9 in London at Mama Christine’s residence  -27 Paragon Close, London, Canning Town, E16 1PL and at Irene (Mama Sam’s) Residence in Coventry-182 Shakespeare Street, Stoke Heath, Coventry CV2 4NF - on the same dates and time. Details of the memorial service to be held in East London will be communicated to you shortly. For more information please call: Joyce (Mama Christine) 07951243462, Irene (Mama Sam) 07882418587, Benson (Baba Njuguna) 07853551132, Baba Christine 07958497460, Brian (Baba Angel) 07529411379 or Kui (Mama Shiku) 07939607844. Please join us in prayer and may Jehovah bless each one of you. The memorial and thanksgiving service for his life will be held on Tuesday the 12th January 2010 starting promptly at 6 p.m. at the Inter-denominational World Revival Ministry (IWRM). The address is 524 High Street North, Manor Park, London E12 6QN.

The big freeze could cost Britain £14.5billion

London, Thursday 7th January, 2010. Plunging temperatures have turned heavy snowfalls in to treacherous sheet ice as Britain continues to be gripped by the coldest snap in a generation.  The Met Office has issued widespread warnings for icy roads, with motorists facing dangerous conditions. The roads have already proved fatal in North Yorkshire, where a teenage boy was killed and his mother seriously injured when they were hit by a lorry late last night. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has also paid tribute to firefighter Gareth Wyn Rees who died after he slipped and banged his head. The North East Ambulance Service says the conditions are putting it under immense pressure. Director of Ambulance operations Paul Liversidge said: "The driving conditions and volume of traffic on the road have made it difficult for our crews to get through to patients, particularly on residential estates." Forecasters say the country can expect the arctic conditions to continue for another two weeks. Weather presenter Lucy Verasamy said: "It really is bitterly, bitterly cold for all of us. The ice will simply stay frozen with temperatures hovering around zero all day."

Overnight the mercury plummeted, with Benson in Oxfordshire the coldest at -17C (1F), Manchester at -13 (21F) and even central London at -3C (27F). 8,000 homes are without electricity in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire after snow brought down power lines. Engineers are working to fix the problem, but there are worries that icy roads could delay repairs. Sky's Amy Lewis reported from the M3 near Chertsey. She said: "It's very quiet on the roads as motorists appear to be heeding the warnings, but the RAC is still expecting around 11,000 call-outs today." Some major roads have been affected, with the M275 in Hampshire, the A20 in Kent, the M60 in Manchester, the A1(M) in Country Durham, and the A2628 in Derbyshire all closed. Motorists in Wales are being warned that conditions on the M4 between junction 22 to 20 are particularly poor, and many mountain roads in Scotland are closed. Sky correspondent James Matthews reported from the cut-off village of Pathhead in Scotland. He said: "In the rural areas people are being left largely to fend for themsleves as authorities struggle to keep up with the worsening conditions." Supermarkets are reporting panic buying as the the ice tightens its grip.

Many councils warned that their stocks of grit were running low, with Scarborough Borough Council in North Yorkshire revealing it is using sand from the resort's beach to grit pavements in the town. Sky's North of England correspondent Gerrard Tubb said: "The pavements here are absolutely full of ice. It's so dangerous, but the council can't grit everywhere." John Riby from the Scarborough Council said: "Unfortunately at the moment I'm afraid demand for salt is outstripping supply, so we're having to prioritise." Emergency measures to alleviate the gritting crisis were put forward to allow Britain's biggest salt mine Winsford to supply the country day and night. Sky correspondent Michelle May said: "The mine is working flat out 24 hours a day, with 25 lorries an hour leaving to get the salt out to where it's needed. But it is getting harder and harder to keep up." On the transport network rail services struggled to return to normal, with many operating revised timetables and suffering delays. The Eurostar is running a restricted service and is telling customers to cancel or postpone their trip if they can.

A train broke down in the tunnel and had to be towed to safety just weeks after thousands of passengers were stranded inside the cross-country link because of the bad weather.  Gatwick Airport's runway was reopened last night after being shut all day with more than 240 flights cancelled, but bosses warned passengers to expect delays and some travellers were left trapped on landed planes because of the conditions. Easyjet passenger Graham Wilson contacted Sky News Online in the early hours of the morning: "We have been sat on the Tarmac since landing four hours ago with hardly any refreshments and no information stating how much longer we will be here. "There are about 150 of us on this plane and we are told there are at least another ten planes out here with us suffering the same fate. "They won't offload us onto buses or get us to a boarding arm so we can get off. It's an absolute nightmare." A spokesman for the aiport said: "There are passengers waiting to disembark. We have had to slow our operations right down for safety reasons." Heathrow airport says it is having a similar problem, with passengers on a small number of flights having long waits to get off their planes. Many councils say their schools will stay shut today, with around 10,000 closed across the country.

SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON THURSDAY 7TH JANUARY 2010

LEFT: The Sun compares what it says must be frosty relations between 10 Downing Street and Labour rebels after a bid to oust Gordon Brown and the freezing weather gripping the country. CENTRE: The lukewarm support of the Cabinet for Mr Brown is also the front page story for the Daily Mail. RIGHT: The attempted coup against Gordon Brown also dominates the front page of The Independent.

Kenya election violence witnesses get death threats

Kenyans testifying about violence that swept the country after the 2007 election have been subjected to death threats and attacks in recent days. One witness told the BBC how he had received death threats by text message since giving evidence to a high-level commission investigating the violence. Other reports say witnesses have been beaten and told to withdraw testimony. The clashes between December 2007 and February 2008 left 1,300 people dead and forced 300,000 from their homes. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has promised to prosecute the main perpetrators. The ICC is yet to name any suspects though, and witnesses have so far given evidence only to the Waki Commission, set up by the Kenyan government. But in recent weeks there have been several reports of intimidation. One witness told the BBC's Network Africa programme he received threats verbally and by text message after he spoke to the Waki Commission. "The first message said: 'You are still a young man and you are not supposed to die, but you betrayed our leader, so what we shall do to you is just to kill you,'" he said.

The witness said he had been forced to leave his home and go into hiding, but promised to testify despite believing both he and his family were in danger. The Nairobi Star newspaper reported that several other witnesses had been viciously attacked. The paper referred to one man, known as Witness A, who told them he was hauled out of a taxi on 28 December and beaten senseless by four men. "They told me that unless I withdraw my evidence from Waki they will return to kill me," Witness A told the paper. He said he had now fled the country after his cousin was murdered by the gang. The international community had urged Kenya to move swiftly in punishing perpetrators of the post-election violence, but no-one has yet been charged. In November, the ICC's chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo announced he would take on the cases of the main suspects. He said two or three cases could come to trial in The Hague by July. Prominent Kenyan politicians, including cabinet ministers, are believed to be among the suspects. President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga agreed to share power to end the clashes that followed the 2007 election. Mr Kibaki won the election, but Mr Odinga's supporters alleged fraud. Clashes between their supporters snowballed into large-scale ethnic violence that engulfed large parts of the country for weeks.

Funga Zip

What does the message tend to mean. Kenyans write all kind of messages on their cars, matatus and even trucks. This was near Kinoo but was left puzzled of the meaning. The container was open which made me think the message could have been more important to him than anyone else. I could be wrong. The message was clear for both men and women HIF is around - Funga Zip - Photo and story by Karuga wa Njuguna.

Democrats Kenya is a new youth movement for a new Kenya.

Democrats Kenya is a new youth movement for a new Kenya. Unlike the main stream political parties, Democrats Kenya is a platform for the Kenyan youth to express their political opinion freely and assisting them to fulfil their democratic political ambitions. For the purpose of giving Kenyans a wider variety of choice, Democrats Kenya will encourage the youth to engage positively in politics and not to leave it for the current politicians. Kenya has been recycling politicians despite their corruption, dishonesty among other serious crimes because there has never been a better choice. Voter intimidation, bribery and vote rigging has kept most of them in power. The cheap politics of divide and rule and preaching hate among Kenyans has also contributed to the failure of the democratic system. Democrats Kenya believes that there are better leaders amongst us and the only thing missing is how they can make themselves known to Kenyans without being harassed by the current greedy, selfish clout of politicians. It is very important that every Kenyan knows that he can be a member of Parliament, Prime Minister, Councillor or even President of Kenya. Currently, many just leave politics to certain families who run the country as their personal or family business. - MORE

Police arrest kidnappers in Nairobi

Police are holding four suspects believed to have executed a series of kidnappings in Nairobi's Kariobangi south estate. The four were arrested Wednesday night 6th January 2010 by Administration police officers in connection with the abduction of a local businessman.  The gangsters had kidnapped  the businessman, identified as Mathenge Mbugua, a meat vendor at Burma market, and whisked him into a saloon car at gun point.  They then drove the businessman into a secret hideout where they mercilessly beat him demanding a 500,000 shillings ransom. They later abandoned him next to a bar at KICC slums in Kariobangi South. On receiving an alert from a good Samaritan, the area chief conducted a search arresting four suspects who led them to the 'kidnappers' hideout. The area councillor is now calling on the government to arrest all suspicious youths in the slum as a deterrent measure. Several kidnappings have taken place in several parts of the country some involving children.

Wolverhampton town in UK on world's worst list

Civic leaders in Wolverhampton rejected the findings of a Lonely Planet survey which ranked the city as the fifth worst place on earth.  The list, topped by the US city of Detroit and based on traveller feedback, saw the West Midlands city deemed to be less attractive than the capital of El Salvador, as well as other "hated" cities in India, Tanzania and Mexico. Wolverhampton was placed fifth on a revised Lonely Planet list of nine most hated cities following "swift and fierce" reaction to an initial request for travellers' least favourite destinations. On its website, Lonely Planet gave reasons for the selection of the cities other than Wolverhampton, describing Seoul in South Korea as having no heart or spirit. But Wolverhampton, which can trace its history back to 985 AD, was described as being "so bad that we don't even have it on this site!" In a statement, the leader of Wolverhampton City Council, Neville Patten, said it was "quite obvious" that representatives of the respected travel guide publisher had failed to visit the city. Mr Patten said: "The picture they paint of Wolverhampton is not an accurate one. "If they had come here, they would have seen that Wolverhampton is one of the most progressive cities in Britain. Wolverhampton is such a friendly, open place which is why so many people want to come and live and work here. "We have first class facilities for residents and visitors and this is certainly not a downtrodden or Third World city. "I would like to invite Lonely Planet to actually come here and take a tour so they can see for themselves what a vibrant place it is."

Nairobi, Wednesday 6th January, 2010 - Controversial Jamaican Muslim cleric Abdullah al-Faisal who was deported from the country on Monday through Tanzania has been returned to Kenya after authorities in the neighbouring country declined to receive him, police sources said. Police and Immigration officials who had escorted him to Tanzania were unable to get him through to the neighbouring country and had been staying with him at the border until Wednesday morning when they escorted him back to Nairobi. “He was escorted back to Nairobi and is currently at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. We are pondering the next move,” a police source said. Police Spokesman Erick Kiraithe who had confirmed Al-Failal’s deportation earlier on Tuesday was not immediately available for comment. He had said “Al-Faisal is no longer in the country because we have deported him to Jamaica through Tanzania.” A group of Muslim leaders led by Al-Amin Kimathi said they had spent the better part of Wednesday at the JKIA trying to seek audience with the cleric in vain. “The police are totally violating Al-Faisal’s rights. They have unsuccessfully tried to deport him. All the countries have declined to receive him and now they are keeping him here at the airport,” he said. “We have information that they are planning to deport him to an unknown country tomorrow morning (Thursday). We don’t understand why they are not allowing us to see him. We went with a lawyer ready to represent him but they have declined us access,” he added. Al –Faisal was arrested on Thursday last week, shortly after attending prayers at a mosque in Mombasa. Police and Immigration officials said at the time they arrested him for “violating Immigration regulations.” He had been accused of engaging in preaching, contrary to immigration procedures which did not allow him to engage in such an activity. - CapitalFM

A young Kenyan lady passed away at Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading today 6th January, 2010. She was in her mid twenties. More later.

Court graphic photo where a Kenyan is among the accused

A security guard was "instrumental" in planning a failed robbery at an east London Matalan store during which the manager was killed, a court heard. Jamie Simpson, 33, was stabbed in Kingsland shopping centre in Hackney in March 2008, as he was cashing up the day's takings, the Old Bailey heard. Simeon Jumah, Kobina Essel, Anthony Maina, and a 17-year-old boy admit conspiracy to rob but deny murder. Guard Roy Williams, Jamal Chambers and Duane Owusu deny both charges. "Ringleader" Jumah, 25, of Manor Park, east London, had planned the raid with Mr Williams, 31, of Upper Edmonton, north London. Jumah was expecting to get up to £30,000 in takings, the court heard. "Williams's role in one sense is even more sinister. He was the security guard at Matalan - in other words, the inside man," Aftab Jafferjee QC, prosecuting, said. On 22 March, Essel, 18, Limehouse, east London, entered the store with Maina, 20, of Canning Town, east London, and the 17-year-old from Poplar, also east London, who cannot be named because of his age. When confronted by the 19-stone Mr Simpson, of Herne Hill, south London, it was Essel who stabbed him with a "fearsome weapon", Mr Jafferjee said. "Jamie Simpson, when confronted by Essel, did not yield, and he was stabbed to death by Essel. The robbers then fled empty-handed. "Jamie Simpson had been entrusted by the store to look after the takings and he did so with his life. "With the assistance of security guard Williams and his inside information, each of these defendants would have known by then that what would stand between them and the store's money was the duty manager Jamie Simpson." Mr Simpson's family, from Derby, attended court for the trial.  The trial continues.

British soldier charged in Kenya

Nairobi, Wednesday 6th January, 2010 - A British Army officer was charged in court on Wednesday after he allegedly assaulted a senior police officer who had stopped him as he drove on the wrong side of the road in Nairobi. The soldier was charged at the Kibera Law Courts for assaulting the officer in charge of the Parklands police station Chief Inspector Stephen Okal who had stopped him on Limuru Road near Ojijo roundabout on Tuesday. He was identified in court documents as David Robins who is attached to the Kifaru Barracks. The Briton appeared before Kibera Chief Magistrate Grace Nzioka but denied assaulting the OCS and creating disturbance in a manner likely to breach peace. Court documents stated that Mr Robins uttered the words ‘f*#! you black monkey’ during the confrontation. He was granted a bond of Sh50,000 and ordered to deposit his passport in court. The case is due to be heard on March 16.

Former archbishop Carey backs '70m population cap'

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey has said politicians must do more to limit net immigration to the UK. He is among a group of MPs and peers warning that the population should not be allowed to go beyond 70 million. Lord Carey said the issue angered many people and could lead to violence, and that the immigration system had to focus more on maintaining "values". Labour says its points-based migration system is working but the Tories want an annual cap on incoming workers. All the main parties are sceptical about setting population targets which they believe is unrealistic and counter-productive. Last year the Office for National Statistics said, if current trends continued, the UK population would rise by 10 million to more than 71.6 million by 2033 - the fastest rise in a century.

Two-thirds of that increase would be caused, directly or indirectly, by migration to the UK, it suggested. The Balanced Migration Group - made up of 20 parliamentarians, including Lord Carey, former Commons Speaker Baroness Boothroyd, five Labour MPs and 10 Conservative MPs - is backing a campaign calling for curbs on immigration. Lord Carey told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We are not calling for a ban or anything like that because we value people from abroad." "What I think I'm concerned about is not saying we must put a limit on people who are non-Christian populations. That's not the point. We welcome everybody and that's always been the generous spirit of the United Kingdom." But, he said, immigrants must "understand" the UK's culture, including parliamentary democracy "which is built upon Christian heritage", "our commitment to the English language" and an understanding the country's history. The system should not "give preference to any particular group", he said, but added that points-based immigration could take these cultural aspects into consideration.

Cross potatoes for sale on eBay

Forget Jesus appearing snackfoods - two independently discovered potatoes with crosses in them have gone on sale on eBay, possibly marking the start of a hot new religious-imagery-in-foodstuffs trend.  One of the holy spuds was found by an Iowa family, while the other by a police detective in Ohio. Jim Gross of Marion, Iowa, says his wife was peeling their potato on New Year's Eve when she found the cross shape. They listed the potato for sale for eBay under the title 'Religious Potato: Cross Revelation!', with bids starting at a reasonable $2 - which has since risen to $46.

Nairobi, Wednesday 6th January, 2010. - An American tourist and her one-year-old daughter have been trampled to death by an elephant in Kenya, while others with them during a walk through a forest managed to escape, police said Wednesday. "The woman was with the rest of her family walking in a forest near the hotel where they were staying when an elephant attacked them. The woman and her daughter died on the spot but the others escaped unhurt because they were able to run for their safety," a senior police officer said. The accident happened in Mount Kenya Forest, located in the country's centre.  Police said the woman was aged 39, but gave no details about where she was from. Among those who escaped is the deceased woman's husband and three other people who were with her at the time, they said. The bodies of the deceased have been transferred to Nairobi. - CapitalFM

Why do Kenyan tour guides take a risk of taking  tourists on guided foot tour when you have no guns to protect them? Where are the safety procedures?

When it rains in Karahari Desert you have to jump higher

Who can jump higher - a gazelle or a kudu

Lamu to become 2nd port of Kenya, says Kibaki

Nairobi, Wednesday 6th January, 2010 - President Mwai Kibaki has welcomed the commitment that the Government of the People's Republic of China has shown in the development of a second port at Lamu. At a meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Yang Jiechi who paid him a courtesy call at his Harambee House office, President Kibaki described China as a true friend of Kenya, pointing out to the many infrastructure projects funded by China. During his New Year message to the nation, President Kibaki said he was confident that construction of Lamu Port would begin this year. The President also thanked the Government of China for its commitment to funding parts of the Northern Corridor and their interest in a new Mombasa-Kampala standard gauge railway line. "Kenya highly appreciates the development assistance extended by China. The assistance has been substantial in financial terms and has a considerable impact on Kenya's socio-economic development," President Kibaki said. The Head of State outlined the importance of Lamu Port and the second transport corridor that will link Kenya to Ethiopia and Southern Sudan via Garissa and Isiolo.

The President has been at the forefront in promoting projects that are key to opening up vast parts of the country.  During Wednesday's meeting, the Government of China extended a Kshs 540 million grant to support various projects in the country. President Kibaki and Mr. Jiechi also discussed issues centred on further enhancing the existing Kenya-China cooperation raised during the 4th Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Ministerial conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt in November last year. The 4th FOCAC ministerial meeting adopted an action plan which lays out strategies for China-Africa cooperation over the next three years in which China seeks to build a new type of China-Africa Strategic Partnership covering several sectors of socio-economic development. China and Kenya have in the past signed agreements and MOUs in various fields including technical and cultural cooperation, trade, education, health, energy, agriculture and cooperative development. Present during the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Uhuru Kenyatta, Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula, Transport Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere and the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura.

Mother And Daughter Killed By Elephant

An American tourist and her one-year-old daughter have been trampled to death by an elephant at a game reserve in Kenya. The woman, aged 39, was travelling on foot as part of a guided tour when the attack happened. The four other people in the group including the woman's husband escaped unhurt after managing to run to safety. The incident occured on Monday near the Castle Lodge in Mount Kenya National Park, where the family had been staying. Godfrey Wakaba, a senior warden at the park said the victims' bodies had been flown to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The national park with its world heritage status mountains and population of elusive forest elephants have made it a popular trekking and safari destination for tourists.

Snow disrupts schools and travel

Thousands of schools are closed and the transport network is disrupted as heavy snow hits much of the UK.

How cold turns up the heat on health

Global warming may dominate the headlines, but it is the cold of winter which in this country currently proves much more hazardous to health - especially for the elderly and the sick. For every degree the temperature drops below 18C, deaths in the UK go up by nearly 1.5%. This year, any New Year's resolutions which involve strenuous outdoor activity - at least for those with existing health problems - may be best put on ice. Heart attacks and strokes rise as temperatures fall. This is because when confronted with the cold, the blood vessels in the skin contract to conserve heat by preventing blood from flowing to the surface. The composition of the blood also changes. This has two effects: firstly, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through narrower vessels, while the change in concentration means it is more liable to clot, with all the ensuing health problems. "There is growing evidence to suggest that heart attacks are linked with extreme weather conditions, especially cold weather. If you have a heart problem and are outside in cold weather, you should avoid sudden exertion - for example, shovelling snow or pushing a car," according to the British Heart Foundation. "In very cold weather it may be best to stay indoors".

KARUGA SERVICES IN KENYA - PHOTOGRAPH AND VIDEOS

Quality Services - Fast Service

Bwana Karuga who is Mr. Seed photographer in Kenya is now offering services to cover Burials, weddings, birthdays and family gatherings. All delivered to place of your choice in Kenya within THREE DAYS after the service. Contact Karuga wa Njuguna, 0710148193  wanjugunak@hotmail.com

Lemon: Benefits &Uses

Cheese Grater Cleaner

Combine high acidity to a slick solution and you can resolve one of the most annoying problems in the kitchen – removing cheese from the grater. Just rub a generous amount of lemon juice on a grater filled with cheese. The juice’s abrasiveness will loosen the grip of the cheese to the metal surface of the grater. After a few wipes, your grater will shine like a brand new item.

Google has launched the much-anticipated Nexus One

Google has launched the much-anticipated Nexus One, but is it an iPhone killer? Meanwhile, Apple is stepping on Google's toes by getting into the mobile advertising business. The rivalry between Apple and Google has intensified with Apple buying the mobile advertising business, Quattro Wireless. The purchase puts it in Google's own business arena of advertising - on the very day that Google squared up to Apple on its own home turf. Google on Tuesday launched its smartphone, Nexus One, which is designed to challenge the iPhone. Apple would not say how much the Quattro deal was worth. Reports suggest it could be around $275m (£170m). Apple's spokesman, Steve Dowling, said: "We look forward to developing exciting new opportunities that will benefit Quattro Wireless customers in the future."

Another severe weather warning is on the way for Britain

JE, HUU NI UNGWANA BWANA MBEGU?: A Kenyan house nanny in the UK working for a Kenyan family. The family have kicked out the nanny when she became pregnant. When she was about to give birth, they told her out ni njaa!!!  Guess what: The man in that house is the one who impregnated the poor girl [nanny]. Jee huu ni uungwana?

Care homes forcing elderly to have feeding tubes fitted

Thousands of dementia sufferers told they must have surgery to gain entry

Thousands of elderly people are being forced to have tubes fitted so they can be artificially fed if they want to be admitted to a care home, a major report warns today. There is no evidence that tube feeding prolongs life and it deprives patients of the pleasure and social contact involved in normal eating and drinking, says a Royal College of Physicians working group which recommends that artificial nutrition should only be used as a last resort. The report found that many care homes across the country are making it a condition of residence that people, often in the advanced stages of dementia, have a tube fitted into their abdomen. "This is an invasive procedure with a risk, so it should not be undertaken lightly," said Dr Rodney Burnham, chair of the working group. "One of the concerns we had was that we felt in many places there were cases where this was done without proper thought.

SWIMMING IN SNOW

Jilin, China: A swimmer walks into the Songhua River RIGHT: Vladivostok, Russia: Enthusiasts participate in a winter swimming competition

Snow causes thousands of school closures

Thousands of schools across the UK have faced closure and disruption in the cold weather. The snow and ice gave children an extended Christmas holiday on Tuesday as schools were unable to open and many more were closed on Wednesday. Schools have shut across England from Northumberland and Cumbria to Cornwall, Devon and Sussex on the south coast. With more snow forecast there could be even more disruption for schools later in the week. Schools across the north of England - including in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield - have been affected as snow and sub-zero temperatures swept across the country. Where staff have been unable to travel there have also been closures, while other schools closed because of problems with heating or surrounding icy roads.

Lumbasyo denies graft charge

Nairobi, January 6, 2010 - Former National Social Security Fund (NSSF) managing trustee Rachael Lumbasyo has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the Fund of Sh8 million. Ms Lumbasyo who presented herself at the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission offices to record a statement on Tuesday, however denied the charge when she before Senior Resident Magistrate Lucy Nyambura on Wednesay morning. She was released on a cash bail of Sh500,000. Ms Lumbasyo is facing charges alongside lawyer Stephen Kipkenda and Kakamega High Court Judge Said Chitembwe. They are accused of paying the money for services not rendered in respect to the sale of five plots belonging to the NSSF. It is alleged that: “On or about 7th July 2008, at the NSSF Building, Nairobi, within Nairobi Province, being persons whose functions concerned the management of public property, to wit, the funds of the National Social Security Fund as the Corporation Secretary and Managing Trustee respectively. CapitalFM

Controversial Jamaican Muslim cleric Sheikh Abdullah al-Faisal was deported to Tanzania by road after international airlines declined to fly him. Faisal was driven to the Kenya-Tanzania border and handed over to the authorities in Tanzania on Monday evening. Immigration and anti-terrorism officials said they deported him to Tanzania because that was where he came from on December 24. However, last evening sources said Faisal was at Namanga border after immigration officials in Tanzania refused to take him in. Kenyan immigration officials had on Monday evening handed him to Tanzania since that was where he originated. But the Tanzanians changed their minds hours later and tried to chase him out. "There is a standoff here over this man because the Tanzanians have refused to take him. We do not know what to do with him," a source said. Kenyan officials also rushed to Nairobi for consultation on the matter. Expectations were the Tanzanian authorities would also deport him to Malawi from where he entered their country.

"He arrived in the country through Tanzania and you know all airlines declined to ferry him. He is on an international watch-list of terrorists, which makes it difficult for him to travel on any airline," said a senior Government source. Before his arrival in Kenya, he had travelled to Nigeria, Angola, Mozambique, Swaziland, Malawi, and Tanzania. He was arrested minutes after attending evening prayers at a mosque in Nyali. Sources said he chose to travel by road because he could not pass international airports or any other entry point linked to the e-border control system. Faisal was brought from Mombasa to Nairobi on Sunday where immigration officials prepared his deportation papers. Our sources said his laptop contained "controversial literature" that could poison his congregation. Faisal’s deportation came even as Muslim human rights activists protested his arrest terming it discriminatory. But Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’ dismissed allegations by the Muslim Human Rights Forum that Muslim clerics were being targeted.  "The information we have is that he was arrested in Britain and jailed five years ago on terrorism-related charges. We are not deporting him because he is a Muslim," Mr Kajwang’ said. Police said the cleric’s passport shows he has tried entering Kenya previously but was denied entry. Faisal was deported from Britain in 2007 where he had lived for 20 years for allegedly preaching "hatred against Jews, Hindus and Westerners". - The Standard.

UK faces coldest winter in 30 years – forecasts

Baboons at Knowsley Safari Park try to keep warm with hot potatoes. Much of the UK was blanketed in heavy snow this morning as the extreme weather headed south and forecasters warned that the country was on course for its coldest winter in 30 years.

SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON WEDNESDAY 6TH JANUARY 2010

LEFT: A picture of the frozen Bridgewater canal in Sale, Cheshire, dominates the front page of The Daily Telegraph as it reports on the snow that has swept much of the country. CENTRE: The weather also makes the front page of the Daily Express. RIGHT: Thousands of elderly people, many with dementia, are being forced to have feeding tubes fitted so they can be artificially fed if they want to be admitted to care homes across the country, reports The Guardian Thousands of elderly people, many with dementia, are being forced to have feeding tubes fitted so they can be artificially fed if they want to be admitted to care homes across the country, reports The Guardian

Snow and ice cause travel chaos

Heavy snow and ice are causing problems on the roads, railways and at airports, as hundreds of schools close.

UK airports to introduce new bomb detection equipment.

Body scanners are to be introduced at Heathrow Airport in about three weeks, Home Secretary Alan Johnson has said. He also told the House of Commons that all UK airports must have new "explosion trace detection equipment" by the end of the year. His comments follow an attempt to blow up a US airliner on Christmas Day. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is accused of trying to detonate a bomb on a plane from Amsterdam when it was about to land in Detroit. Gordon Brown has ordered a review of security at UK airports. BAA has begun training its staff in behavioural analysis techniques, which would be used to identify individuals requiring closer inspection. Transit passengers passing through UK airports will face increased screening, more sniffer dogs will be used and more passengers will face searches by hand. "It is clear that no one measure will be enough to defeat inventive and determined terrorists and there is no single technology which we can guarantee will be 100% effective against such attacks," the home secretary said.

The government is also examining whether "additional targeted passenger profiling" could help enhance airport security, he added. "We will be considering all the issues involved, mindful of civil liberties concerns, aware that identity-based profiling has its limitations, but conscious of our overriding obligations to protect people's life and liberty," he said. Civil rights groups warn that body scanners could produce illegal images of children and images of celebrities that could be leaked online. He said that a staff code of conduct was going to be developed. Mr Johnson also told the Commons there was only a 50 to 60% chance that a body scanner would have detected bomb materials allegedly carried by Mr Abdulmutallab. He said such machines were not a "magic bullet". Mr Johnson also announced an urgent review of the "robustness" of the UK Border Agency's watch list. And he said that while the UK government did provide information to the US linked to "wider aspects", no data shared suggested any attack on the US might have been imminent. Mr Johnson said Mr Abdulmutallab was known to the security service, MI5, but not as somebody "engaged in violent extremism".

Julie Hardy surprised this peacock butterfly in her back garden in Chartham near Canterbury.  RIGHT: Carolyn Wright: "Toby and Sky, Exmoor ponies in the snow in Earlswood Solihull, West Midlands."

Socialite Heiress Found Dead In LA Aged 30

A socialite heiress to the Johnson & Johnson hygiene products and pharmaceutical empire has been found dead aged 30. The body of Casey Johnson, daughter of New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, was discovered at her Californian home. The heiress gained celebrity as the girlfriend of Tila Tequila, a reality TV star best known for A Shot At Love With Tila Tequila, which ran for two seasons on MTV. Police officer Sara Faden did not know how long Miss Johnson had been dead by the time authorities arrived at the Los Angeles address. But showbiz website TMZ quoted a law enforcement source who said the heiress may have passed away several days before. Ms Faden said the death may have been due to natural causes, since a preliminary investigation revealed no signs of foul play. But a final cause of death will be determined by coroner's officials, who will seek toxicology tests, the officer added.

New Crab Species Looks Berry Like A Fruit

A new species of crab that looks like a strawberry has been discovered on a beach in Taiwan by a marine biologist. Marine biologist Professor Ho Ping-ho found two of the creatures while researching the environmental impact of a shipwreck on Kenting National Park. He said: "One was dead while the other was dying when they were found on a beach of Chialoshui." They are similar to a species that lives around Hawaii, Polynesia and Mauritius, but the new crabs have clam-shaped shells with white polka dots, which makes them distinct.

A Kenyan has passed away in Alabama, USA. The late Ms. Josephine Njeri Karonjo (Wakaronjo) in Alabama, USA passed away on Sunday 3rd January, 2010 at the UAB Hospital in Birmingham Alabama. She hailed from Kiambu Indian Bazaar and for many years worked for the Kiambu County Council. Daughter to Mr. James Kibera and the late Mrs. Mary Wambui. Mother to George Karonjo and Elizabeth Gathoni Hosey (Sonnie). Mother in law to Susan Njeri and Michael Hosey. Sister to Lucy,  Peter, the late Regina, Nancy and Teresiah Kenya) Grandmother to Jeremy, Marriet, Mark, Aaron and Abby. Birmingham USA. Her remains are at the Wren Funeral Home. Daily meetings and Prayers are being held daily at Wamaitha's Residence in Kiambu near the Parkview Hotel and at George's residence in Pelham. 55 Village Lane, Pelham Alabama 35124. There will be a Memorial  Service On Sunday 10th January, 2010 at Laborers In Christ Ministry in Homewood at 4.00 p.m. For more information please contacts George K Muhia, 205 253 3675,  Elizabeth G Hosey (Sonnie) 205 862 1731 or  Wamaitha (Kenya) 0720 794 376.    

Ms. Josephine Njeri Karonjo (Wakaronjo)

In pictures: World's winter wonderland

Winter weather is making its mark in many parts of the world. The Chinese capital, Beijing, is in the grip of its coldest spell for 20 years and on left photo in the Inner Mongolia region of China, a train hit a wall of snow more than 6ft (2m) high, leaving 1,400 passengers stranded as paramilitary police worked to free it. RIGHT: The South Korean capital, Seoul, has seen its heaviest snowfall since records began.

Matatu strike enters day 2

Nairobi, Tuesday 5th January, 2010 - The countrywide matatu strike entered its second day Tuesday with commuters being forced to walk long distances to work. Efforts by the government on Monday evening to resolve the stalemate turned futile after Matatu Welfare Association failed to agree with the assistant minister for internal security. Meanwhile, in Mombasa one matatu en-route to Malindi from Mombasa was set ablaze this morning by enraged matatu conductors for defying a collective position to go on strike. In Nyeri, officers from the Rapid Deployment Unit patrolled roads and empty matatu termini, as matatus stayed away. In Kisii, Kisii central OCPD Peter Njenga has assured security to the few matatus operating   in and out of Kisii town. Njenga has said that he has dispatched his officers to various routes to see that those matatus that are operating were uninterrupted. He said it was criminal for any individual to interrupt those willing to assist members of the public saying police will act tough   on them. The police boss warned that they were not going to condone any acts of hooliganism from any individual and said that those who are planning to capitalize on the strike to terrorize others will be trading very dangerously.

Police commissioner Mathew Iteere has dismissed accusations by the matatu operators and vowed not to relent on the road safety campaign. Meanwhile the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has petitioned the Matatu association officials to call off the on going strike. The VP said it was unfortunate that the strike that started on Monday affected government functions including "my own office where some members of staff either arrived late or failed completely to show up". He regretted that innocent school going children have been affected while their colleagues elsewhere are busy settling down to work. "The Matatu strike called to protest over some government directives aimed at restoring law and order on our transport industry has been misunderstood. The government is not in any way out to cripple the industry but carrying out measures that will ensure safety to all Kenyans who rely on the same means" said the VP. Kalonzo who was speaking in his office on Monday called for sobriety among all the stakeholders as he asked the Matatu welfare officials who called the industrial action to return to the round table talks with government representative to sort out the stand off. He however said discipline must be exercised by all motorists on Kenyans roads   including matatu operators' on adherence o traffic rules.

South Africa's president marries third wife

Third current wife, fifth in all, marries Zuma at traditional Zulu ceremony

South Africa gained its third first lady on Monday 3rd January 2010 when President Jacob Zuma married Tobeka Madiba, his fifth marriage and third concurrent spouse. With another fiancee in the wings and rumors about a possible future engagement, the country may have five or more first ladies before Zuma's presidency is over.

Are you an International Student in the

UK or applying to study in the UK?

 New Home Office changes: It only the legal guardian or parents who can sponsor you.

If you are an International Student in the UK and/or are applying to study in the UK, there are major changes regarding Financial Sponsorship (both maintenance and College/University fees payments) for International Students. Seek legal advice before submitting your application for Further Leave to Remain in the UK as a student or Entry Clearance Visa.

For more details contact: MartynsRose Solicitors: 0208 538 1397/8 or 07931 116 124.

Snow and ice cause travel chaos

Heavy snow and ice are causing problems on the roads, railways and at airports, as hundreds of schools close.

Schools and airports closed after heavy snow in England

Hundreds of schools have been closed and airports have suspended flights after heavy snowfall across large areas of England. Manchester Airport has reopened after earlier suspending flights but there are no flights out of Leeds Bradford and Blackpool International. A man died when two lorries collided in the snow on the M60 in Manchester. The snow has now moved into the Midlands and is expected to continue moving south throughout the day. The Met office has issued severe weather warnings across most of the country. Up to 4in (10cm) is predicted in parts of the Midlands later and motorists have been warned not to travel unless necessary. Air passengers have been urged to check their flight status with their airline.

Kenya floods death toll rises

Heavy flooding across Kenya has killed at least 34 people, police said on Tuesday, raising the previous death toll of 22. Bodies of 12 people swept away by the raging waters were recovered in a region recently devastated by a severe drought, said Francis Munyambu, the police chief of the Rift Valley province. "There are more people who have been found dead in different areas after they were washed away by the floods. Most rivers are swollen and people cannot cross," Munyambu said. Torrential rains have deluged several parts of the country since Christmas, sweeping away houses, destroying crops and livestock, and displacing at least 20 000 people. "We have been trying to help move people out of the affected areas but accessing the areas is difficult. Most bridges have been cut off," he added.

Somali militants force WFP exit

The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) has pulled out of large parts of southern Somalia because of threats from powerful Islamist rebel groups. The WFP says the partial suspension of its operations will affect about one million people. The al-Shabab militant group has repeatedly threatened the WFP - who it accuses of ruining local farming by forcing Somalis to rely on imports. The WFP says without help, Somali farmers cannot supply enough food.

SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON TUESDAY 5TH JANUARY 2010

The Daily Express reports that gas supplies could run low as Britain continues to shiver in the grip of the big freeze and right Former Home Secretary David Blunkett warns that Labour cannot match the Conservatives in advertising spending in the General Election, reports The Times.

Kasipul Kabondo MP airlifted to Nairobi Hospital

Nairobi, Tuesday 5th January, 2010 - Kasipul Kabondo Member of Parliament Joseph Oyugi Magwanga and his two children are undergoing specialized treatment at Nairobi hospital following a car accident on Monday night that claimed the life of his wife. The three were airlifted to Nairobi Tuesday morning from Salom hospital in Kericho following the fatal crush at Chepsir trading center along the Kericho Nakuru highway. Ministers and members of parliament along with friends and relatives have continue to throng the hospital to give their condolences amid calls for increased surveillance on the roads. Oyugi is said to have sustained serious injuries while his Toyota Land cruiser lost control at the Chepsir Trading centre along the Kericho- Nakuru highway.  The grisly road accident claimed the life of his wife injuring the MP's fiver daughters and a body guard. The MPs wife Judith Atieno Magwanga, 38, is reported to not have been belted at the time of the accident and is suspected to have died from the impact when their car lost control and veered off the road before rolling severally into the deep valley near Chepseon market 30 km from Kericho town. In a telephone interview, while still at the scene of the accident, the MP who escaped with minor injuries said a certain lorry overtook his car at top speed along a sharp bend before braking abruptly forcing him to drive off the road on the right to avoid ramming into it from the rear. "A few minutes to 8pm as I was negotiating a sharp bend a few kilometers from Chepseon, a certain lorry overtook me in top speed, made abrupt brakes thereby blocking my way. I had no option but to go on the right direction, to avoid ramming into it since on my left was a hilly hedge. I went off the road and rolled severally before landing into a ditch of several metres downhill," he said.

The five children were rushed to Siloam hospital by good Samaritans who were the first to arrive at the scene. The MP left on Monday morning to Nairobi to collect his children and drive them to his rural home in readiness for school opening after spending Christmas holiday in Nairobi with their mother. Deputy Provincial Commissioner, South Rift, Bernard Leparmarai led traffic police from Kericho to the accident scene to retrieve the MP's car in a two hour operation and collected the body of the deceased wife which was eventually transferred to Matata Nursing Hospital mortuary in Oyugis. A sombre mood engulfed Oyugis town and its environs when news of the accident spread among the constituents. Leaders including Eng. Tom Okoko, former Director of Medical Services Prof.  Richard Muga, Karachuonyo ODM branch chairman, Jack Nduri, and Oyugis deputy  mayor Cllr. Evans Omondi led Kasipul Kabondo residents in mourning the  sadden death of the MPs wife. Hundreds of people lined up at the mortuary to have a glimpse of the body as boda boda operators wailed uncontrollably. According to Kasipul Kabondo ODM branch chairman, Kennedy Okoth who spent the night at his bedside, the MP who was in a stable condition was later at  midnight admitted at Siloam along side the children who included two from  his relative. Okoth also confirmed that staff from Lee Funeral Home was to collect the  body of the late Judith Magwanga from Matata mortuary-Oyugis, for post  mortem and preservation of the body.

And in the UK, parts of the River Tyne in north-east England froze over with heavy snow elsewhere and on right Europe has been gripped by freezing weather too. Here ice forms on twigs of a tree in the northern German city of Hamburg.

Rains continue to wreck havoc    

The Rumuruti-Maralal road has been cut off at Naibor by flash  floods that have hit the area for several days killing three people. So far over 15 people and hundreds of livestock have been killed countrywide by the floods caused by heavy rains. Several families have also been displaced. North and South Rift regions are the most affected. According to Kenya Red Cross Society 2000 people in Turkana East have been affected while five people have been confirmed dead. KRCS communication manager Titus Mung'ou  said 800 acres of food crops have been destroyed and five bridges washed away adding that two schools and health centres had been damaged.  The rains have also wrecked havoc in Narok, Naivasha, and Kajiado. Other areas include Koibatek, Mogotio and Rongai districts, affecting 136 households. He said the KRSC had distributed non-food items in Mogotio, Koibatek, Marigat, Naivasha, Nakuru. "Our team is also involved in search and rescue activities in Nakuru and we have also set up a health camp in Marigat" he said. Elsewhere, The Internally Displaced Persons( IDPs) camping at Pipeline Nakuru have appealed to the Government to release the iron sheets they were promised last year to avert an outbreak of water borne diseases following the heavy rains pounding the area. The IDPs decried the poor living condition they were exposed to at their tents. Their chairperson Ms Beth Wanjiru said the iron sheets claimed were donated by the Chinese government and distributed by the provincial administration last year.

Boiler scrappage scheme launched in UK

A government scheme that gives households in England £400 off the cost of a new boiler has been launched. The boiler scrappage scheme was announced in the pre-Budget report last month. According to the government it will help households cut their energy bills, reduce CO2 emissions and support thousands of jobs. Up to 125,000 households in England could benefit from the scheme, which is costing the government £50m. People who own their homes or landlords who rent homes are eligible, but social landlords, housing associations and boiler installers are not. There are about 3.5 million homes in England with the least efficient types of boilers.

The Kenya Government has issued an alert warning of suspected conmen on the loose, who are circulating threat messages via mobile phones. The messages are targeting Cabinet ministers, MPs, businessmen and other leaders, Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode has disclosed. He said he received death threat messages on his cell phone and immediately alerted Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere. Mr Ojode claimed some unknown people also called to warn him that his life was in danger. The message seen by The Standard read: "Hi, Hon you are afraid to shed blood like in the case of Mr Ongili (The late Horace Owiti Ongili was once Gem MP) and now yours is in danger, do u remember what happened to Mr Mugabe Were in Embakasi shortly after elections in 2007?" The message further read: "So it is you to allow someone to buy your life with money or not... I am on my way to Uganda, therefore, keep the secret tight with you please. If you wish to tell me something then do it now before I travel, bye". He urged anyone who received such messages to record a statement with the police to aid investigations.

M-PESA AGENT-NORTH LONDON

M-Pesa Agent opens from Tuesday 5th January 2009, 9-6pm, Mon-Sat. Address: SMART'S PLACE, EDMONTON, LONDON, N18 2. We are situated off Fore Street, behind Natwest Bank and Job Centre PLUS. Nearest Rail Station: Silver street (National Express East Anglia). Underground: Seven Sisters (Victoria Line). Buses: 279, 144, 34, 149, 259, 349. For further information contact WAMAITHA on 07950436787. 

Heavy Snow Set To Bring More Travel Chaos

Commuters in London and the south-east are being warned of travel chaos as snow and sleet is expected to spread southwards on Tuesday 5th January, 2009. Heavy snow already affecting parts of Scotland and Ireland is expected to hit many parts of England by tomorrow morning and reach the Home Counties and the capital by lunchtime. Sky weather presenter Lucy Verasamy said "significant snow" would cause disruption during the morning rush hour. "It will be very wintry and snowy come tomorrow morning, with plunging temperatures and frost and ice on the roads once more, and a line of sleet and snow anywhere from the East Midlands and Lincolnshire, across the West Midlands and into Wales," she said. "It will shuffle into the South East, Greater London and Home Counties by the latter stages of the morning.

Burj Khalifa: The world's tallest building

The Burj Khalifa, the newly-opened Dubai tower, is a multiple record breaker. As well as becoming the tallest building in the world, the skyscraper is the tallest structure and boasts the most storeys and highest occupied floor. Its 124th floor outdoor observation deck is also the world's highest, and its elevators will travel the longest distance. The $1.5bn tower is more than twice the size of the Empire State Building and its construction took thousands of workers six years to complete. - OPENING VIDEO

95: distance in km at which its spire can be seen

504: rise in metres of its main service lift

57: number of lifts

49: number of office floors

1,044: number of residential apartments

900: length in feet of the fountain at the foot of the tower, the world's tallest performing fountain

28,261: number of glass cladding panels on the exterior of the tower.

1. The Burj, which stands at more than 828m high (2,716ft) and has more than 162 inhabitable floors, can be seen from 60 miles away 2. The top of the building features a public observation deck and shop. The world's highest mosque and swimming pool are located on the 158th and 76th floors

3. The tapering spire is made out of reinforced concrete, steel, stainless steel and glass. The exterior cladding of reflective glazing is designed to withstand Dubai's extreme summer temperatures

4. The building contains more than 1,000 apartments and 49 floors of office space, served by 57 lifts. There are a total of four swimming pools and a private library

5. A 160-room hotel carrying the Giorgio Armani logo will occupy the lower part of the tower

6. The foundations were dug to depths of 50m (164 ft).  

The tower is the centrepiece of a 500-acre development and contains luxury apartments and offices, and a hotel designed by Giorgio Armani. Construction began in 2004 and building is said to have so far taken 22 million man hours.

DO YOU KNOW?: River Gura is located in Nyeri District of Central Province of Kenya is the fastest flowing river in Africa.

Kenyans ushering year  2010 in style

Fireworks light up in the sky at the Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort as part of new year celebrations and on right a man carries his son as he ushers in the New Year at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi on January 1, 2010.

"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour me." - Psalms 145:18-19

Reflections on 2009

For many of us, 2009 was a difficult financial year.  It was difficult for me, too, and yet, I would not trade all that I have learned for an easier year.

I have learned valuable lessons about business, investing, liquidity, diversification, and economic market cycles.  I can see on a deeper, more profound level that I am truly not my money, what I do, nor my reputation.  I have discovered new levels of wealth, worth and wisdom on the inside that do not revolve around my temporary external circumstances.  While I have watched my net worth plummet, I have built my inner strength and determination, knowing that I will rise stronger than ever.

Inner Abundance

In my many conversations with friends and associates, as well as reading the papers I have come to see the lies, if you will - that cause our identity confusion and lead us astray from our true selves.  The three biggest lies are:

1.  We are what we have.  Our wealth and our possessions define who we are and whether or not we are “successful.”

2.  We are what we do.  Our careers, our hobbies, and our roles in life determine our identity.

3.  We are what other people think of us - our reputation..  Our ultimate reality and worth is dependent upon the respect and approval of others.

Marketing Guru and author of Dan Kennedy surprisingly suggests that the secret behind many wealthy entrepreneurs’ success stories appears to be a past bankruptcy, or similar near-bankruptcy experience of failure or “losing it all.“  Of the 200 self-made millionaires and multi-millionaire entrepreneurs Kennedy has personally worked with, “nearly half of them had gone bankrupt before finally achieving lasting success and wealth.” 

Indeed, the Who’s Who list of those who have gone broke at least once is impressive:

They were all financially devastated along the path to success, and they all picked themselves up and went forward to become huge successes.  Dan Kennedy (who experienced a bankruptcy himself in his early years), shares the reasons why so many entrepreneurs experience bankruptcy before achieving their greatest successes:

“Entrepreneurial success and wealth creation require a willingness to risk and experience failure and the emotional resiliency to recover from it quickly, decisively, passionately and persistently.”  The past bankruptcy may reveal this trait, may have helped to develop this trait, or both.

  More importantly, bankruptcy can be a profound experience that leads entrepreneurs to a new understanding of and relationship with money:  When you experience bankruptcy, you feel as if life is over, that you’ll never recover, that you’ll forever have a big red ‘B’ on your forehead, that you’ll never get credit.  Then, when you discover none of that is true and that money is readily available, wealth replaceable more quickly and easily than the first time around, the light bulb comes on.  It’s a huge ‘Ah-ha!’ and a giant ‘Well, I’ll be damned.’  From the moment of that realization forward, your fears about money are permanently banished and erased.  What you feared was fatal turned out to be less than a flesh wound.  Now you can’t be scared again.

Probably nothing slows down and stops success as much as fear.  Fear of success, fear of failure, conscious or unconscious debilitating fear.  As Kennedy observes, more people are controlled and inhibited by their fears about money than by any other kind of fear…. When you jettison all money fears, you instantaneously become magnetic to money.  I now believe your bank balance reflects the ratio of fear vs. confidence you have about money.

Sometimes the best antidote to your biggest fear is to face it, live through it, and rise victorious over it.

I wish you Financial Rebirth, Peace and Joy beyond all circumstance, and a Happy 2010.

God Bless

Sophie  - sokonitrader@yahoo.co.uk

Who's who list

• Walt Disney (who departed Kansas City for Hollywood after the failure of his ”Laugh-O-Gram” business forced him into bankruptcy)
• Henry Ford (Ford Motors was his third try after one business failure and a second near failure)
• Mark Twain (who later paid off his debts with a book tour)
• Charles Goodyear (developed the rubber technology for tires)
• P.T. Barnum (went bankrupt right before getting into the Circus business at age 61)
• J.C. Penney (who ended up temporarily in a Sanatorium when the Great Depression nearly destroyed his business and his health)
• Francis Ford Coppola (acclaimed filmmaker [The Godfather, Apocalypse Now and more], winemaker and restaurateur, who was $300k in debt when the first Godfather film was completed)
• James Folger (founder of Folger’s Coffee, who encountered great success after several false starts and a bankruptcy)
• Larry King (the tv/radio personality declared bankruptcy in the late 1960’s)
• H.J. Heinz (the ketchup king went bankrupt in 1875 but re-organized into a new business with 10 billion annual revenue today)
• Conrad Hilton (Hilton lost several of his hotels in the Great Depression, but recovered to buy them back)
• Abraham Lincoln (who re-paid all of his debts over 17 years, prior to his presidency and immortalisation on the penny)
• Milton Hershey (who encountered several businesses failures before making it big in chocolate)
• Cyndi Lauper (80’s pop icon, declared bankruptcy in 1980 before her hits)
• Robert G. Allen (”Nothing Down” real estate guru, “Multiple Streams of Income” author and entrepreneur, lost his dream home in an avalanche the insurance company declared an un-insurable “act of God”)
• Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen (mega-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series authors, whose first book was rejected by every major publisher)

 God Bless

Sophie  - sokonitrader@yahoo.co.uk

Meerkats takes photos in Karahari Desert

Ian Turner, deputy head warden, was taking photos for a brochure in Karahari deserts when he went to get another camera. Not thinking that a Kalahari Desert-dwelling mammal could work an advanced piece of digital equipment, he left the first camera with the meerkats. (Really?). He returned to find a furry David Bailey merrily putting together a family album of three snaps of the eight-strong meerkat mob. Monty, the alpha male who usually leads the family, is thought to have been the one pressing the shutter button. (Hmmmm) Mr Turner said: 'To actually get up to the camera and take a family portrait is quite incredible.

DO YOU KNOW?: That there were over 9,000 forged documents were presented at the British High Commission in Nigeria in the year 2009 alone.

WORD OF THE DAY

"Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set [1] thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven." - Proverbs 23: 4-5

A Kenyan has passed away in USA. The death has occurred of Josephine Njeri Karonjo well known as Wakaronjo in UAB Hospital Birmingham Alabama USA. She is Mother to George Karonjo and Elizabeth Gathoni both of Birmingham Alabama. She hailed from Riabai Village Kiambu and resided mostly in Kiambu Indian Bazaar. For many years she has been working with the Kiambu County Council. Details to follow on Misterseed. May Her Soul Rest in Eternal Peace. Amen.

Nairobi almost at stand still

Matatu strike left thousands of Kenyans stranded. In Nairobi, there were no matatus and many Nairobians were forced to walk to work. Many used many modes of transport to get to work. No one took care of their safety as far as they get to work. In Race Course road the road was empty with no jam at all. This was day one of the strike which is scheduled to take three days. Police patrolled everywhere using even their helicopter due to the fears that armed thugs might attack the matatus and buses that would work during the strike. Many sectors including the Kenyan economy and schools  have been affected. More on day two. Photos by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi.

Matatu strike paralyses transport in Kenya

Public transport was Monday paralysed in various parts of the country after matatu operators stayed off the roads to protest against alleged police harassment.  Thousands of Kenyans who were forced to trek to work appealed to government to intervene and resolve the issue. Parents and their school going children were also stranded while the few operating PSVs doubled fares. However police arrested over 30 suspects disrupting the few operating vehicles.  Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere Sunday assured matatu operators opposed to the strike of security from harassment by their counterparts.  Matatu Welfare Association maintained that the three day nationwide strike was still on until their grievances are addressed  The association's Chairman Dickson Mbugua said the transport industry is losing up to 1.5 billion annually owing to extortion. But a rival group the Matatu Owners Association said they had agreed to call off the strike. The MOA chairman Simon Kimutai said his group will not go on strike as the authorities were addressing their grievances. The police boss who met the MOA officials declared the strike illegal saying they had reached an agreement.    

In Nyeri, workers failed to report to their places of work as the Matatu strike took its toll. The Nyeri bus terminus was empty as no Public service vehicle was ferrying commuters. In Meru, the strike paralyzed major operations including distribution of newspapers as commuters got stranded at bus stages. All the public service vehicles were parked at trading centres as drivers and conductors joined the strike called to protest alleged extortion by the police. Mbeere deputy OCPD  Chemonges Ndiema said police officers have been deployed along major highways to protect matatus willing to operate.  In Naivasha, armed police were deployed along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway to stop any attacks targeting public vehicles as transport across Naivasha town was paralyzed. Though no attacks were reported, police were on high alert following reports that hooligans were planning to set ablaze matatus operating.  Commuters including school going children were stranded at various bus termini as they sought different means of transport. According to area deputy OCPD Paul Kisan'g, the patrols would continue to avoid any ugly incident. Transport was also paralysed in Mombasa, Eldoret, Taita-Taveta, Nanyuki and Machakos. The strike has affected reopening of schools for the first term this year.

Mai Mahiu-Naivasha road damaged by rain

l

JE, HUU NI UNGWANA MBANA MBEGU? "I got nothing from my wife. She don't love me anymore. I bought her a lot though. I still love her. What pained me so much is that she sent a lot of money to her relatives in Kenya who abuse her financially. She can do what she wants with her money, lakini Krismasi hata socks za bwana? Huu ni uungwana?" - MORE

Dubai to open world's tallest building

The world's tallest building is set to be opened in the Gulf emirate of Dubai. More than 800m (2,625ft) high and clad in 26,000 glass panels, Burj Dubai has 160 floors and more than 500,000 sq m of space for offices and apartments. Construction began in 2004, at the height of an economic boom. The opening comes after a financial crisis which has seen Dubai bailed out by Abu Dhabi. The exact height of the $1.5bn tower is secret, but it far exceeds that of the previous record holder, Taipei 101. It will also lay claim to the highest occupied floor, the tallest service lift, and the world's highest observation deck - on the 124th floor. The world's highest mosque and swimming pool will meanwhile be located on the 158th and 76th floors. Though not complete on the inside, Burj Dubai will be officially opened by Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, at 2000 (1600 GMT) on Monday, 1,325 days after excavation work started. At a ceremony to be attended by 60,000 guests, Sheikh Mohammed will also reveal the exact height of the tower that dwarfs the 508m Taipei 101 and the 629m KVLY-TV mast in the US, the tallest man-made structure. Its spire can been seen from 95km (60 miles) away.

CyberTracker in Action

Researchers have developed a software for PDAs that turns the Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert into digital wildlife trackers. The screen of this PDA displays more than 40 animal species, subspecies and plants. The icons also cover activities such as drinking, feeding, running, fighting, mating and sleeping.

DO YOU KNOW? UK Immigration Border Agency (Home Office) employs over 25,000 staff in and out of the UK

Welcome to hell: Celebrity Big Brother house in UK

We are promised this is the last time we will ever have to endure Celebrity Big Brother. So perhaps it is fitting that producers of the Channel 4 show which was once such a smash hit now want to make sure it does not just fade out with a whimper. Designers have spent months and thousands of pounds making the usually bland house sparkle with private members club-style bling. Sadly, it seems they are still been resigned to scraping the barrel for the actual 'celebrity' names for the show which starts next week. Among those reportedly taking part are Ronnie Wood's ex Ekaterina Ivanova, Baywatch-turned-panto star Pamela Anderson, MC Hammer, page 3 girl Nicola T, former boyband member Dane Bowers and ex-Hollywood vice madam Heidi Fleiss.

Remember to watch Familyrebuild TV program on sky channel 593 on Thursdays at 7.30pm

mooz-link.com & Levels Internet- designers

mooz-link.com & Levels Internet- designers for the web, e-commerce web site solutions , database development, branding and logo development, flash, multimedia development, search engine optimization, web hosting, website design strategy. We will give your company the edge it needs, leveraging the new technologies. Our goal is to help your company to increase sales.

mooz-link.com & Levels Internet knows that a website with a well conceived graphic design, clear navigation and rich content will play a key role in helping you to land new customers. By providing better information and enhancing your company's image you increase your chance of generating more sales opportunities.

We also host and maintain websites - updates, additions, changes and most importantly, search engine analysis and submission of the pages that make up your website.

Whatever your website needs, our team of designers have the creative talent to appeal to your sense of style, the training and knowledge of current web standards and practices, and the ability to turn your dreams into reality!

Our website design clients range from small start-up companies to large corporations and everything in between.

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

6 people perish in Matuu accident    

Six people among them two senior police officers Sunday evening 3rd January, 2010 perished in a grisly accident along Mwingi-Thika highway. The 5pm accident which involved a private saloon car and a Nissan matatu occurred at Kivandini area some 10 km away from Matuu town.Three people including the two police officers died on the spot while three others who were traveling in the Nissan matatu succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at the Matuu district hospital. The dead police officers were Superintendent of Police Damaris Kali attached to the Railway police station, Nairobi and Benjamin Kitonga of the Criminal Investigations Department, Kiambu district. The deceased officers who hail from Migwani district were traveling back to their work stations. According to the Matuu Base Commander Nelson Omwenga the vehicles were traveling in opposite direction when they were involved in a head on collision.  The saloon car was headed to Nairobi while the nissan matatu was headed for Mwingi. The police boss said the driver of the saloon car was speeding when he lost control and collided head on with the Nissan matatu. He added that the two survivors in the saloon car and nine others in the Nissan were rushed to the Matuu district hospital in critical condition where they were hospitalized. "Three of them however died while undergoing treatment. Those seriously injured were transferred to Thika and Kenyatta National hospitals for specialized treatment". The bodies were removed to the Matuu district mortuary while the extensively damaged vehicles were towed to the Matuu police station.

US Tightens Airline Security Procedures

The US has tightened security procedures for airline passengers travelling into the country, with particular attention to those arriving from seven other nations. All air passengers bound for America from foreign countries will face increased random screening under the new rules, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirmed. But anyone travelling from Nigeria, Yemen, Pakistan, Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria will be subjected to extra checks. They will all be patted down and have their hand luggage searched as part of the new procedures, which take effect on Monday 4th January, 2010. The seven countries include four that the US lists as "state sponsors of terrorism" - Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria. The TSA said the new rules, which have been issued to all airlines with flights into the US, included "long-term, sustainable security measures". It has issued an order that: "... every individual flying into the US from anywhere in the world travelling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening. "The directive also increases the use of enhanced screening technologies and mandates threat-based and random screening for passengers on US bound international flights." The new measures are being brought in after Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab allegedly tried to blow up a plane while he was on board a flight to Detroit on Christmas Day. In the UK, airports operator BAA has announced plans to introduce full-body scanners at Heathrow "as soon as practical".

Going home from work at the end of the day

The winners of the 2009 international Travel Photographer of the Year awards have been announced. Thousands of entries were received from photographers in almost 70 countries. The overall winner and Travel Photographer of the Year 2009 is GMB Akash from Bangaladesh - Going home at the end of the day. Dhaka, Bangladesh by G.M.B.Akash

The UK and US embassies in Yemen have been closed because of an active threat from al Qaeda.

Full-Body Scanners At Heathrow Airport 'Soon'

Full-body scanners are to be introduced at London's Heathrow Airport as soon as is practical, BAA has announced. The country's biggest airport owner is tightening security following the failed attack on a Christmas Day flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, 23, is in US custody. He is accused of boarding the jet with explosives hidden under his clothes. "Now that the Government has given the go-ahead, we will introduce full body scanners as soon as practical," a spokesman for BAA said. "It is our view that a combination of technology, intelligence and passenger profiling will help build a more robust defence against the unpredictable and changing nature of the terrorist threat to aviation."

Survival for the fittest

Leopard Chasing Terrified Baboon Across the Sands of the Kalahari Desert

Motorists Face An Icy Return To Work

Motorists heading home from the Christmas break are being warned of icy roads across the UK and heavy snow in some parts. The 'big freeze' looks set to continue throughout the first two weeks of January, with Yorkshire, northeast England and parts of Scotland being worst affected. Temperatures in these areas could plummet to -15C over the next week. Fresh snowfall on Saturday led to 6cm across parts of north England and 9cm on the streets of Edinburgh. The transport network is under strain in affected areas as many people travel home before returning to work on Monday.

Tiger Woods's wife Elin boasts of £185m divorce. Tiger Wood's stranged wife Elin has told friends that she has agreed a £185 million divorce settlement, according to a newspaper report.  The News of the World claims the 30-year-old Swede told friends about the settlement, reportedly laughing as she described it as a "$300 million Christmas present" from the superstar golfer. Since news of Woods's serial philandering broke late last year, the world number one has been at the centre of a media storm that has seen 18 women claim to have had relationships with him. Rumours of a possible divorce have been circulating ever since, and the News of the World's source claimed that Elin Woods is determined to split up with her husband for good: "She's more focused than ever about moving on with her life," the source was quoted as saying. The source also added that Elin has begged the world number one to seek professional help over his fragile mental state, and refused to let him see his children over Christmas as he was "not stable enough". Tiger has also reportedly stopped communicating with several of his closest aides, and is apparently considering extending his break from the game until 2012.

Cheatomg Tiger Woods' wife will DUMP him after Christmas, we can sensationally reveal. Shattered Swedish model Elin Nordegren is in talks with divorce lawyers but keeping up a show of normal family life for the sake of their two children. With her mind in turmoil over what to do for the best, Elin wants to spend Christmas with Tiger and the kids in Sweden before a trial separation in the New Year, she confided to a close friend. And last night, as major sponsor Gillette DROPPED the disgraced golf superstar from their advertising, the pal told us: "Elin will pretend it's the usual family celebration for the children and then ditch the man. And later will come the big move across the world - to the new Faglaro mansion she's bought on an island near Stockholm. Elin's plans come as the News of the World reveals that shamed Tiger, 33, argued with his Swedish mother-in-law just minutes before she collapsed and was dramatically rushed into hospital this week. And we have discovered Tiger is STILL in touch with his most recent mistress Rachel Uchitel - the VIP party hostess who sparked the domestic row two weeks ago that flushed the whole scandal out into the open.  Despite Rachel clinching £1,350,000 hush money from Tiger not to talk to the media, she told a close friend how the billion-dollar sportsman:

• PROMISED that he'd leave his wife for her.

• CRUISED bars with her to pick up other women for threesomes.

• LAVISHED her with expensive gifts.

• ROWED with her after SHE was accused of bedding another celebrity.

Rachel's sordid revelations will come as another hammer blow to Elin.  Talking to friends about the five-month affair, 34-year-old Rachel insisted: "Tiger and I are still together no matter what. He said we have to wait a couple of weeks before we can meet up again. But I AM his number one girl.

Happy New Year Mr. Seed

This is a New Year's Card which was sent to Mr. Seed mobile phone then I downloaded it into the computer.

Calif. pastor takes in $2.4M after donations plea

LAKE FOREST, Calif. – Evangelical pastor Rick Warren's plea for donations to fill a $900,000 deficit at his Southern California megachurch brought in $2.4 million, Warren announced to cheers during a sermon at the church on Saturday. Warren said the amount raised after the appeal was posted online Wednesday included only money parishioners brought in person to Saddleback Church by New Year's Eve. More was arriving by hand and by mail, he said. "This is pretty amazing," said Warren, who made the announcement by bringing out 24 volunteers each holding a sign for $100,000. "I don't think any church has gotten a cash offering like that off a letter." The pastor said he planned to talk about what he called his church's "radical generosity" in the rest of the weekend's sermons. He said the total came from members, and the donations were all under $100. "We're starting the new decade with a surplus," he said. "It came from thousands of ordinary people. This was not one big fat cat."

The posting on Warren's Web site read: "With 10 percent of our church family out of work due to the recession, our expenses in caring for our community in 2009 rose dramatically while our income stagnated." Warren said the church had largely managed to stay within its budget during the year, but "the bottom dropped out" when Christmas donations were down. The letter cited the church's accomplishments in 2009 and detailed how the donations would be used, including the church's food pantry, homeless ministry, counseling and support groups. Warren made similar pleas after Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Asian tsunami, raising $1.7 million and $1.6 million from Saddleback parishioners. Warren is the author of numerous books, including the best-selling "The Purpose Driven Life." He was named the top newsmaker of the year for 2009 by the Religion Newswriters Association, gaining attention with his invocation at the inauguration of President Barack Obama and comments in the aftermath of California's Proposition 8, which overturned gay marriage. He founded Saddleback Church in 1980 in Lake Forest, about 65 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

Extraordinary Life of The Terrorist on Flight 253

According to the Daily News in New York , the Nigerian man alleged to have planned to bomb a Delta airline flight 253, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab lived a life of extraordinary privilege before he turned to terror. The son of a wealthy Nigerian banker, Abdulmutallab was educated at top schools in Africa and Britain – and dwelled in homes worth millions, his relatives said. The baby-faced extremist’s last known address was a $4 million flat in one of London’s poshest neighborhoods. Police in London scoured the swanky apartment Saturday in search of clues as to what – or who – might have led Abdulmutallab, 23, to try to blow up a packed jet over Detroit.  The flat, in London’s West End, is surrounded by several of the city’s best-known tourist haunts, including Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square.

From historic theaters to expensive hotels and exclusive retail stores all are within walking distance of Abdulmutallab’s former pad.He reportedly hails from a far more humble place, the Nigerian border town of Katsina.  Abdulmutallab’s father, Dr. Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, was a government minister during the 1970s and went on to become the head of the First Bank of Nigeria. As a teen, Abdulmutallab attended the British International School in Lome, Togo, a Nigerian paper reported. There, he quickly acquired a reputation as a devoted Muslim. “At the secondary school, he was known for preaching about Islam to his schoolmates and he was popularly called ‘Alfa,’ a local coinage for Islamic scholar,” according to The Day. After his secondary school, Abdulmutallab went to the prestigious University College London in 2005 to study engineering. He graduated three years later.

The alleged terrorist was apparently sent to Dubai by his father after finishing his education in London. CNN reported he fled to Yemen, a hotbed of militant activity, soon after and cut off all communication with his family. Who Abdulmutallab met with in Yemen remains unclear. But by the time he left the country, he had apparently become a radicalized extremist bent on inflicting carnage in the West. This past May, he reportedly tried to return to Britain for a six-month program, but his visa application was denied by the United Kingdom Border Agency. An official told the Times of London “he was applying to study at an educational establishment that we didn’t consider to be genuine.” Seven months later, Abdulmutallab completed his descent from the promising child of a wealthy family to a brazen terrorist when he tried to set off an explosive inside Northwest Flight 253.

 Moi says farmers own Mau tea factory

Retired President Daniel arap Moi said on Sunday that the controversial Kiptagich tea processing factory in the Mau complex is owned by tea farmers. Speaking at Liten sports ground, Moi said he only owns only 25 percent of the shares while the rest belong to farmers. He said he was allocated the tea estate by the Narok County Council to act as a buffer zone following his efforts to conserve the forest by planting tea along forest lines in parts of Kericho, Meru, Muranga under the Nyayo tea Zones. Moi said he was committed to conserving the environment during his regime, arguing that the establishment of the Nyayo Tea Zones was one of his strategies to protect the country's forests. "Tea is environment friendly and I wonder why my efforts were never appreciated" noted during South Rift AIC  first anniversary celebrations. Moi who is said to own vast tea estates on which the Kiptagich tea factory in Kuresoi District is set up is among the rich land owners expected to be compensated in the next phase of mau evictions that begin this month. However, controversy rages on whether big land owners should be compensated an issue that has been at the centre of intense party politics between PNU and ODM.  Moi has been blamed for the destruction of the Mau Forest Complex, the country top water tower by allocating large tracts of the forest land to his allies.

Black grouse combat is a strange mixture of Tom and Jerry and martial arts as cameraman Barrie Britton discovers.

Jobs for illegals at Home Office as dozens of NHS and public bodies ignore immigration laws. Illegal immigrants have been working at some of the most sensitive UK Government offices in the country - including the headquarters of the UK Border Agency - a Mail on Sunday investigation has discovered. Following our enquiries, the Home Office admitted employing a dozen illegal foreign staff over the past four years - 11 Nigerians and a Ghanaian. Ten of them secured cleaning jobs at Becket House, the headquarters of the UK Border Agency, which vets immigrants. The building in Croydon, South London, also serves as an immigration detention centre, holding up to 270 people awaiting deportation. Two other illegal immigrants worked at the Whitehall headquarters of the Home Office, which houses the office of Home Secretary Alan Johnson. One was a chef in the canteen, while the other worked as a security guard on the front door for 19 months. The Home Office headquarters is regarded as one of Britain's most high-profile terrorist targets and receives round-the-clock police protection. Eight of the 12 have since been deported, three are detained pending appeals and one was later granted leave to remain in the country. The embarrassing disclosures come despite repeated pledges by Labour to crack down on illegal immigration. Using Freedom of Information legislation, The Mail on Sunday contacted each Government department, council and hospital in Britain for details of employees later discovered to be illegal immigrants since 2006. Three Government departments, 34 local authorities and 54 NHS trusts admitted hiring a total of 349 unlawful foreign workers. The list featured 37 nationalities, including migrants from Kazakhstan, Zambia and Venezuela.

Racial or religious groups could be picked out for hi-tech airport checks

The government could allow hi-tech security searches at British airports that focus on people who fit a particular profile, prompting fears that particular racial and religious groups will face increased scrutiny, it emergedtoday . A Whitehall source told the Guardian passenger profiling was "in the mix" of the review into airport security ordered this week by Gordon Brown after the failed attempt to blow up a transatlantic jet on Christmas Day. The development came as airline industry chiefs warned it would be impossible to screen all travellers with a new generation of body scanners the government now wants introduced at airports. Airport industry executives warn the scanners are currently too big, slow and expensive to make their widespread installation viable. Costing around £100,000 each, they take up much more space than the arch metal detectors currently in use and require longer to check every passenger. Many in the industry have long called for the profiling of passengers to detect potential terrorists. But while it is claimed spotters would primarily be watching for suspicious behaviour, there are fears travellers will be selected for enhanced checks based on race, religion and ethnicity.

One motorist was killed in a crash on the M55

Cars drive through heavy snow on the M62 motorway near Ripponden, UK. One motorist was killed in a crash on the M55 motorway near Blackpool and a handful of 3rd round FA Cup ties were called off.

Air passengers face two body searches

Extra body searches, new restrictions on moving around aircraft and greater use of sniffer dogs are among the security measures being planned by Britain following the Christmas Day bomb plot. Lord Adonis, the transport secretary, also said airline staff should be free to target “high-risk” passengers — a move that could anger ethnic minority groups. The attempt by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian who had studied in London, to blow up an aeroplane flying from Amsterdam to Detroit, using explosives in his underwear, has prompted new security measures in America. Gordon Brown, the prime minister, last week announced a review of British security.

Pictured: The amazing wall of ice that makes Britain look more like Narnia
 

Towering: A walker admires a giant wall of icicles in Teesdale, Cumbria and on right wrapped up warm: People swathed in scarves and gloves admire the icicle wall. The big freeze has sparked chaos and treacherous conditions for millions of Britons since it set in over the festive season. But it has also produced some incredible wintry scenes more akin to the pages of C.S. Lewis's classic Narnia books. This amazing wall of ice in Teesdale, County Durham, has left walkers venturing out across the fields for some fresh air stunned.

MI5 knew of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab’s UK extremist links

The security services knew three years ago that the Detroit bomber had “multiple communications” with Islamic extremists in Britain, it emerged this weekend. Counterterrorism officials said Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was “reaching out” to extremists whom MI5 had under surveillance while he was studying at University College London. Officials said the 23-year-old Nigerian was “starting out on a journey” in Britain that culminated in his attempt to bring down flight 253 as it prepared to land in Detroit, Michigan, on Christmas Day. None of the information was passed to American officials, which will prompt questions about intelligence failures prior to the attack.

Britain faces coldest winter for 25 years as big freeze causes

chaos for millions returning home after Christmas break

Families heading home after the Christmas break faced perilous driving conditions tonight as Britain faced up to the coldest winter for a quarter of a century. Police and motoring organisations warned drivers to take extreme care as a fresh wave of snow and freezing temperatures caused major disruptions on the roads and one motorist died. The scale of the big freeze will be underlined by Met Office figures due to be released on Monday which are expected to show the country is currently experiencing the coldest winter for 25 years.

A Kenyan lady has passed away in USA. The late Margaret Wanjiru Muigai Spencer, age 43, born September 2, 1966 in Kiambaa, Kenya, passed away to her heavenly home at the Ohio State Medical Center on December 29, 2009. Graduate of Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio. She lived her life as a devoted Christian and member of the Revival Mission International Center of Columbus, Ohio. Employee of the Columbus Developmental Center for many years. Daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Muigai Mwaura. She leaves behind to cherish her memories, her daughter, Mary Wangari Muigai; her sister, Jane Muigai, both of Columbus; and sisters Rosemary Githinji, Hotensiah Wamaitha, Elizabeth Wairmu, Naomi Wanjiku; and one brother, Moses Mwaura of Kenya. Funeral services and viewing will be held at the Worthington SDA Church, 385 East Dublin-Granville Rd., Worthington, Ohio 43085, 10 a.m - 12 p.m. on Tuesday, January 5, 2010. Pastor John Kareithi will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can lovingly be made to the Margaret Spencer Memorial Fund National City Bank, or by contacting the treasurer Teresa Njeri at (614) 946-8273. Arrangements by SHAW DAVIS FUNERAL HOME. Condolences at www.shaw-davis.com.

The late The late Margaret Wanjiru Muigai Spencer, age 43

Nairobi, Saturday 2nd January, 2010. Five people among them four family members were Friday night killed by raging floods in  Rongai and Koibatek districts. In the first incident, four family members were swept away after a dam burst its banks in Tuyotich village in Makongeni sublocation in Rongai district following heavy down pour that pounded the area for the better part of the night. Koibatek OCPD Agnes Lihab said among the dead were a 70-year -old woman, her daughter aged 28 years and her two children aged between 7 and 4 years. She said the bodies of the four were retrieved and moved to Nakuru municipal mortuary. In the second incident the OCPD said a middle agaed man drowned in Esagari area in Koibatek district.  as he tried to cross a swollen river. His body was also retrieved and taken to Eldama ravine district hospital mortuary. Unconfirmed reports said that several homes have been submerged in Kures in Mogotio district and a number of livestock swept away by the floods. Several people have died as a result of heavy rains that have been pounding various parts of the country causing flash floods.

Several people have died as a result of heavy rains that have been pounding various parts of the country causing flash floods.

A NEW COLUMN COMING UP IN THE NEW YEAR OF 2010

JE, HUU NI UNGWANA MBANA MBEGU? Kukunyua pombe  kwa party kama pombe inaisha? Je huu ni ungwana?

MAASAI PROVERB

Menyanyuk otuputo tunjani o lotuputo Enkai.

The man chosen by God is not the one chosen by men.

Were they in Jerusalem for Christmas?

You would think that Mr. Kamanu (right) and some of his family members were in Jerusalem for Christmas to see baby Jesus. But the family were caught on Boxing Day in Market Square, Nottingham, UK where they had gone to join Seeds family for the 2009 Christmas Celebrations.

A LUO PROVERB

Goyo Obindi.

Strike without drawing blood

To fail to comprehend or to understand fully.

To fail to make a mark to impress or to create an impact.

Celebrating New Year 2010

It was great celebrations at Calvary Charismatic Baptist Church Barking on Thursday night 31st December, 2009 as the church welcomed the new 2010. The celebrations were crowned by Lingala Choir (Zaire) with their hot Christian music (left) and after the new year Sandra Ngengi far left on the right photo was caught with friends in church celebrating.

A UK-flagged cargo ship with 25 crew has been seized by pirates off Somalia, media reports say. The Asian Glory was taken 620 miles (1,000km) off the Horn of Africa nation's coast, the Bulgarian foreign ministry said. The vessel, which has a multi-national crew, is the second UK-flagged ship hijacked in days, after chemical tanker the St James Park was seized on Monday. The waters around Somalia are among the most dangerous in the world. As well as eight Bulgarians, the other nationalities making up the Asian Glory's crew are said to include Ukrainians, Romanians and Indians. British officials said there were no UK nationals on board the vessel. The exact time and location of the hijacking are not yet clear. The 13,000-tonne ship was reportedly transporting cars from Singapore to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. It is estimated the ship could take up to three days to reach the Somali coast, from where pirates usually hold ransom talks. The St James Park, which has 26 crew from nine different countries, is currently anchored off the Somali coast, where negotiations for its release are expected to start. Correspondents say the upsurge in piracy in the region is a consequence of the failure to find a solution to Somalia's continuing political disarray.

THE KIKUYU IDIOMS

Kîania ûtukû

Thîna ûtekwirîgîrîirwo.

Unexpected mishap.

Bishop Climate Irungu welcoming the New Year 2010

This is the photo of Bishop Climate Irungu and his wife as they welcomed the New Year 2010 in their church. For more information visit www.bishopclimate.org/home.php

9 perish in New Year eve accidents

Nine people died Thursday night in separate road accidents in various parts of the country. Four members of a family died following a road accident along Nakuru-Eldoret highway. The four died on the spot when their salon car they were traveling in rammed into a Mombasa bound bus.  They were returning home from Kitale where they had taken a colleague to pay dowry. Bodies of the deceased were moved to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary. Elsewhere, two boys who sat for KCPE last year died on the spot after they were knocked down by a lorry at Mulili market on the busy Meru -Mau highway.  The students had gone to their former primary school to collect their KCPE results when they met their fate on their way back home. Irate residents paralyzed transport in the area for over five hours accusing the motorists of speeding and the traffic police of laxity. In Sengwer near burnt forest three people died on the spot and others injured in an accident involving a bus bound for Kitale. Eye witnesses say the driver of the bus was speeding.

KNCHR most trusted institution, says poll

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is the most trusted public institution according to a new opinion poll released Saturday by Infotrak. Launching the poll, Infotrak boss Angela Ambitho said the media, Kenya Roads Board, COTU and the Ministry of Health are among the country's best institutions. The survey that was conducted in November before the Free Primary Education scam was exposed saw the Ministry of Education also get a favorable rating. The Police Force topped the list of the worst serving public institutions followed by the Judiciary. Others are the anti-graft body KACC, Local Authorities and the Ministry of Transport. The survey indicates that Kenyans are still not satisfied with the performance of the coalition government. The government rating from a sample of 1200 respondents was a mean of 4 out of 10. "No Kenyans felt that the government deserved an excellent rating because of constant power wrangles, the issue of IDP's and non-accomplishment of the reform agenda among others" said Ms Ambitho. Prime Minister Raila Odinga leads the political park at 31 per cent while women have more trust in Martha Karua and Minister Charity Ngilu. 22 percent of Kenyans interviewed hope the government will deliver a new constitution this year. Also on Kenyans wish list for this year is reduced food prices, justice of post election violence suspects and affordable health care and education. 62 percent of Kenyans prefer trial of PEV suspects at The Hague while only 2 per cent supported a local tribunal.

An opinion poll released Saturday 2nd January 2010 by Infotrak indicate that majority of Kenyans hope the government will deliver a new constitution this year.

As the country ushers in the new year, a family in Kiambu, Kenya is mourning their son who was shot dead in unclear circumstances on Christmas Day. Mr Samuel Mbatia, an auditor with Equity Bank, is said to have been shot dead by police officers in Njoro after he refused to heed orders to stop. A woman who is said to have been with the deceased shortly before he met his death recorded a seven-page statement at the Central Police station in Nakuru on new year’s eve. Speaking to the Saturday Nation at the station, the woman, identified as Ms Eunice Mukami, 30, recounted her last moments with Mr Mbatia. Heavily bandaged on her chin and with injuries on her hand and leg, Ms Mukami claimed she met Mr Mbatia at a nightspot in Nakuru Town on Christmas Eve and spent the night with him at a hotel in the town. In the morning, Mr Mbatia refused to pay her the amount they had agreed on and instead gave her only Sh200. She further claimed that they got into Mr Mbatia’s car, a Subaru, and drove on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway. On the way, a dispute arose after she demanded more money. At this point, Mr Mbatia allegedly pushed her out of the moving vehicle. “My door was not closed properly and I had not fastened my seat belt. While we were arguing, he pushed me out and I fell,” she claimed. She said she fell on the tarmac and sustained serious jaw, leg and hand injuries. A passer-by who had witnessed the incident alerted the police who circulated the car’s registration number. Her claims were corroborated by Nakuru police boss Johnson Ipara who said his officers had been alerted by a caller that a gangster had ejected a woman out of a moving vehicle. According to Mr Ipara, Mr Mbatia drove towards Salgaa trading centre and diverted to an earth road leading to Elburgon and then headed to Njoro. He said that his officers spotted the vehicle at Njoro and flagged it down, but Mr Mbatia did not stop, prompting a chase. Police caught up with him near Technology farm where he was shot dead. But a distraught Mr Joseph Njenga, Mr Mbatia’s father, accused the police of killing his son in cold blood.  - Daily Nation.

Lemon: Benefits &Uses

Get rid of dandruff.

Apply one tablespoon of lemon juice to your hair. Shampoo, then rinse with water. Rinse again with a mixture of two tablespoons lemon juice and two cups water. Repeat every other day until dandruff disappears.

A new album in the new year

Rachel Njeri has released a new DVD from her album entitled "Kiama Kiama" which she sung in 1995.  Another popular song "Urigithathi Wakwa Rachel" is in this album. Rachel has been in Kenya to work for this project which has hit the market very well. You can get your copy of this new album on +447985662539 or rachel728@hotmail.co.uk  VIDEO ONE   and   VIDIO TWO
 

NOW PARENTS FOR HIRE IN KENYA

With parents being too choosy on who their children have to marry, four people have started cashing in on the situation by offering ‘parents for hire’ services. The four offer services to young people whose parents do not approve their choices of partners from different communities. The two men and two women from the South Rift pose as parents for the occasion. - FULL STORY

Ushering in the New Year 2010 in Kenya

President Kibaki and First Lady Lucy usher in the New Year in State House, Mombasa. The long awaited day in Kenya - New Year came with live performance of talented gospel artists from across East Africa. Nairobi was somewhat the core of the celebrations. Ushering in the New Year 2010 in Kenya - NEW YEAR VIDEO IN KENYA

The man with three kidneys and a ‘woman voice’ after transplant

By Macharia wa gakuru

It must have been around 20 hrs. I had just come from my bathroom and I had my washing towel round my waist. I had just finished having my shower . my younger daughter  was playing with a new game called dibro and my nephew was standing just next to the TV screen as he is accustomed in doing.

The phone rang

‘Hallo’

Hallo, I replied

‘Oh – Githibo,’ I called It is a long time friend who lives in Canada. I immediately recognized the voice.

We had not met or talked with Githibo for over five years. He had heard that I had a problem with my kidneys and somehow he had managed to get my house number.

‘Who is this’, he asked

‘Well you want to tell me you don’t know who you are calling?’ I replied

‘Ah  gosh – is it you Macharia’, he replied in surprise.

‘Yes’ I replied

‘Well your voice has truly changed. It sounds smooth, interesting, inviting , cultured and very feminine. What happened?’ He asked.

‘Well, I can only guess, but why have you noticed this yet Gitau wa Njenga of the nation, Ngugi of Rift valley news  or even Agnes of Kenya London news had not picked my changed voice?’ I asked. ‘It would have been a good Nation story. The headlines would read; 

‘A man with three kidneys – with a woman voice’, or ‘macharia wa gakuru now speaks like a woman after kidney transplant’ ‘voice change for kidney patient ‘ ....... ‘ or Gilbert Deya would have a field day in his preaching of what God can do to a writer who he does not  agree with his ‘miracles babies’ theory. The sermon would go ‘God protects man of God and strikes those who write against the servant of the most high God. Now this man speaks like a woman – just as the donkey spoke in the days of Baalam as in the bible in the Book of  2 Peter 2:16’ the sermon would go.

My health

In this issue I would say I am the subject so journalist and preaches please stay aside. Let me tell the real truth to all. I am fine. I am the man that was before May 2007 – before I was pronounced sick with kidney failure. I have gained my weight from a mare 62 Kg to now my normal weight of   75 Kg, my skin and color texture have come back and I feel absolutely fine I feel good just like you who are normal. My Creatinine reading is 107 (normal people without kidney failure is between 80-120 depending on physical size). My blood pressure are very much controlled and I am very fine.

I am well and unlike what the newspaper would like to report my voice activities are fully macho – man fully kikuyu man with all his ego and characters.  Feeling like a tiger but not Tiger woods – the man of all times. Yes to all of you I am good.

The story is the same  for another  three Kenyans in the UK who have had kidney failures and subsequently transplant and talking to them they are doing very fine. Thank God for donors who sacrificed themselves for the sake of their brothers or relatives to make these patients  life’s better. In my case I cannot thank enough my sister Njoki for giving herself and donating her kidney to me – disregarding all the pain – discomfort, the risks of infection and many other things that could have gone wrong. Njoki extended my life. God bless you sister and many others out there who have filled their donor cards and willing to donate their organs – I beg you don’t let them rot at death if they can save another persons life. We need to change our mentality.

I want to thank all of you my fellow Kenyans. You went this journey with me as when I got ill, I shouted at the top of my voice – I am ill. You came to my rescue. You gave me your money, wished me well, prayed for me, some fasted, visited me in Guys hospital and some for you came to my thanks giving of 6th of June which remarkably started a new challenge in my life – well now its very easy to deal with though. With a kidney failure and walking away from the grave I cannot sink further than this. I am really grateful to God for giving me  another chance to life. I don’t have a day to be sad or cry. Every day is so valuable that I cannot waste it. I just want to be happy – full of joy and I want to give this to others. This is my mission in life. I will use this new life to serve my country and my people. To my pastor  Edwin Kibathi , members of PCEA UK outreach and the leadership of PCEA Kenya for they carried the bulk of my burden.  God bless you. Above all I want to thank Lucy and my daughters Mumbi and Wanjiru for their comfort and care. You mean a lot to me. At least I can now say I will see my grandchildren – well God allowing.

The sad story

Not all kidney failure stories have ends up like mine. This is the sad part of my story. I had a very close friend because her kidney failure came just around the same time as mine. Her name is Mrs Kamande. She passed on a few months ago after struggling with kidney problems. Her children did all what they could but finally it never worked. They went to India with one of her sons and there was some complications and finally had to go back to Nairobi ending back on dialysis machine and finally she passed away.  May her struggle to live be a driving force to us all to make sure that Kenyans will have kidney treatment including transplant in Kenya.

This is where now we are. After my problems I did not seat on my hands. I did all what I could to see that I could do something on kidney issues in Kenya – give back to my community. Today I can thank God because in January 2010 if all goes to plan a German company – the best in the world is installing dialysis machines in Kikuyu PCEA hospital.   The ministry of health Kenya gave me 8 hospitals to equip with  dialysis machines. Doing work with the government is hard work and issues go at snails pace. Quoting Barack Obama – ‘…..it may not take us one term … but we will get there. We will defiantly get there’.

I have more good news. This December 2009 another private hospital is in the process of signing up with us for the same deal and we are on our way to Tanzania with the same mission.

There is hope

But what did we negotiate? well with the new deal at PCEA Kikuyu Hospital dialysis is about Ksh 2000 cheaper than Kenyatta National Hospital and we are working flat out to see that no patient will be turned down treatment because they don’t have money for dialysis.

We are going further than this I am hoping that by December 2010 we will have transplant happening out of my experience in Kenya. I have a team of surgeons, doctors, consultants, nurses and well wishers who have become a part of this project. The very good news is that we have been working with Githimbo on a proposal to get a big medical company to achieve this dream. They have made the first agreements and they are meeting in January 2010 in Holland to see if our proposal makes any business sense to them.

We cannot do it alone – the health issues need all of us to act. I am sure you know or have heard someone who had issues that required an organ – it is me today but might be you tomorrow – God forbid. It is good we are in the West – Europe or America but in Kenya after spending all the accumulated wealth people with health issues ends up finally in the grave. Together we can change that.

I will be back on Ben TV channel in the new year 2010, my new books will be published in January 2010 – Mumbi and Prince Olympics (www.mumbibooks.com ). We will be making our first 10% money donation to Kikuyu hospital in the early 2010. Thanks for many of you who have bought ‘Deya and the miracle babies’ book. I appreciate.

We are working with PCEA Kikuyu Hospital. Please make your donation  via their website http://www.pceakikuyuhospital.org/donations.php.  Please mention in support of  Renal / dialysis unit God bless you for being part of my life. 

All I can tell you all things that I was restricted to eat last December 2008 I will have lots of them – bananas, lots of drinks- all sorts, cheese, potassium – calcium’s –anything but no grape fruits or juices – it does not like transplanted kidneys!

 Merry x-mass and happy new year – drink and drive responsibly! - Gakuru contact in UK 07947893396.

SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON SATURDAY 2ND JANUARY 2010

The Independent leads with the claim Britain and other Western countries could run out of rare metals which are essential for the production of green technologies. The paper also celebrates the anniversary of Elvis' birth. Motorists who are convicted of parking offences could face a £15 surcharge to help victims of of domestic violence, the Daily Mail reports. The newspaper also carries a picture of "10 million to one" quads.

London, Friday 1st January, 2010. Hundreds of thousands of revellers have gathered in temperatures close to freezing to see in the new year in towns and cities across the UK. In London, tens of thousands of people gathered along the banks of the Thames to hear Big Ben strike midnight. Fireworks erupted at the London Eye in an eight-minute display and there were also fireworks in Cardiff. Thousands joined Hogmanay celebrations in Glasgow and Edinburgh, where temperatures fell as low as -6C (21F). There were no civic events in Belfast. Meanwhile, celebrations were cancelled in Inverness because of severe weather. The London Eye's £313,000 firework display was cut by two minutes this year, helping organisers save a total of £70,000. It was a clear night in central London, where partygoers enjoyed a comparatively balmy 3C. In Edinburgh, 80,000 partygoers gathered in the city centre long before midnight to find good vantage points for the music stages and fireworks display. In Glasgow 10,000 revellers packed into George Square for the city's sell-out Hogmanay party, headlined by Deacon Blue. Thousands were expected in Stonehaven on the east coast of Scotland for the annual fireballs festival, which has been held for about 150 years. Mayor Boris Johnson said London's display would show the world that "the most exciting city on Earth" is looking forward to the future with "optimism and energy". Mr Johnson did not attend the display and saw in the new year with his family, his spokeswoman said, who added that deputy mayor Richard Barnes would be present at the show. The event in Inverness was cancelled as road and pavement conditions were considered too treacherous. Ch Insp Andrew MacLean, of the Northern Constabulary, said: "For reasons of public safety, we made a recommendation to the organisers and they have decided to cancel the Hogmanay party tonight." It is expected to be a cold day for London's 24th annual parade later, which starts at 1200 GMT from Berkeley Street.

NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS ACROSS THE GLOBE

The Australian city of Sydney welcomed in 2010 with a fireworks extravaganza watched by more than a million people and on right Father Frost, Kyrgyzstan's equivalent of Santa Claus, and the Snow Maiden are accompanied by a brass band in a New Year's Eve parade in Bishkek.

Fireworks lit up the financial district in Singapore as part of celebrations to ring in the new year and on right revellers in London have gathered on the South Bank as they prepare to countdown to the new year.

Celebrations are held at the London Eye every New Year's Eve

In London, 200,000 partygoers gathered on the banks of the Thames as Big Ben's chimes ushered in the New Year, followed by a spectacular firework display. Thousands more braved plunging temperatures in Glasgow and Edinburgh to celebrate Hogmanay. Around 80,000 people joined the party in Edinburgh, where temperatures dipped to -6C. But the weather forced organisers to cancel celebrations in Inverness. MORE

Friend - One who knows all about you and likes you just the same. MORE

The British man who for six months had the "Best Job In The World" is set to pack away his snorkel as his contract comes to an end. Ben Southall, 34, from Hertfordshire, beat more than 36,000 applicants to become caretaker of tropical islands around the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. He was paid £74,000 promoting tourism in Queensland by visiting attractions and blogging about his experiences. But his adventure ends on New Year's Eve. He said: "It's been amazing, it really has been truly wonderful and I've had such a good time. "I think I've been one of the busiest people on the planet even though a lot of people think I've been sitting in a hammock doing very little." Competition organiser Queensland Tourism is so impressed with Mr Southall's efforts they have re-employed him to be sent around the world promoting the islands. The charity fundraiser has visited 90 exotic locations in Queensland, given more than 250 media interviews and uploaded over 2,000 photos. His website has been visited 8.7 million times, mainly by UK users. Before leaving his adopted home, Mr Southall will celebrate Christmas with his parents, who are flying in from Hampshire.

Best Job in the World winner Ben Southall and his girlfriend on Hamilton Island

Welcoming year 2010

Sydney will be the first major world city to usher in the New Year. Kenyans are optimistic that 2010 will come with goodies among them a new constitution. New Years parties in Sydney take place all over the city. People join together with family and friends to say farewell to the old year and usher in a brand new one. Fireworks can be seen lighting up the Sydney sky virtually everywhere and people certainly enjoy their libation on this festive occasion, most especially beer and champagne.

Warren Buffett: Wise Saying
If past history was all there was to the game, the richest people would be librarians.

SOME OF THE UK PAPERS ON FRIDAY 1ST JANUARY, 2010

The Daily Mail leads on the possible plan for UK airports to have body scanners as part of increased security plans being investigated after the failed Christmas Day bomb plot. RIGHT: The Times also reports on Jack Straw's claims that police would "rather stay in the office than fight crime on the streets". And the paper says Sydney's 2010 celebrations actually began at 9pm - to beat New Zealand.

Camels' milk could hit UK shelves

Camels' milk could become the latest super food to hit the shelves of health food shops and upmarket retailers. The United Nations is calling for the milk, which is rich in vitamins B and C and has 10 times more iron than cow's milk, to be sold to the West. Camels' milk, which is slightly saltier than traditional milk, is drunk widely across the Arab world and is well suited to cheese production. Harrods and Fortnum & Mason are said to be interested in the product.

Camel milk could soon be on supermarket shelves in Europe after a Dubai-based dairy applied for an export licence. Camelicious already sells its products across the Gulf region and now the company has ambitious plans to break the European market. But it needs to convince EU officials the camel milk meets stringent health and safety tests. Camelicious lawyer David Wernery says camel milk is far more nutritious than its cow counterpart. "First of all, the vitamin C content is very much higher in camel milk than in cow's milk, about 4 or 5% more," he said. "It is low in fat, naturally low in fat, so cow's milk has about 4%, camel milk has almost 2% fat. "So it is like drinking skimmed cow's milk but it still has the rich texture and full body taste of normal milk." The idea was first hatched almost 10 years ago by David's father Ulrich, who is Dubai's chief veterinarian. He had just returned from a conference on camel husbandry in Tajikistan.

This is where he first tasted milk from the humped beast. Mr Wernery Sr was so taken with the milk that he set about persuading his employer, Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed, to invest in his plan. "The Bedouins who lived in the desert lived mainly from camel milk and dates," he said. "Without camels, they would not have survived in the desert. "The milk was a very good source of protein but it has never been used for commerce. "When I came back from the conference, I told Sheikh Mohammed that he has wonderful race camels but they also produce milk. "It is the white gold of the desert and I tried to convince him to open a commercial dairy farm. He was very enthusiastic. "For two years we tested 16 camels with a camel-milking machine and a stand. "It was then that Sheikh Mohammed called me and said 'let's start the dairy farm tomorrow'." That small experiment has grown into a multi-million pound dairy and the specialist hand-selected herd is now over 3,000 strong. The custom-made machinery and the state-of-the-art milking plant are top secret. Journalists are not allowed on site because, according to the dairy managers, they "may carry infections that could compromise the camel herd".

But it's more probably because the race is on in the Arab world to farm and harvest one of the few abundantly available resources. One problem facing potential dairy farmers is that most camels produce insufficient milk to make commercial profit. One way around that is to invent one that does. Earlier this year scientists in Dubai unveiled Injaz, the world's first cloned camel. She was created in a laboratory using cells taken from the ear of a slaughtered camel. Injaz represents hope for the future of the uber camel: one that is stronger, faster and more productive. One by-product of camel milk that is already available in Europe is chocolate. Because it is less than 50% animal product, it is not subject to the same rules as the milk. The chocolate is popular in the Far East and Camelicious claims it struggles to meet growing demand from its local Middle Eastern customers. General manager Martin Van Almsick reckons once customers get over their initial reservations they are hooked after their first bite. "What is inside the chocolate fulfils the promise. Everyone who has a chocolate in their mouth is able to tell," he said. "Camel milk has a slightly salty taste, we tried to preserve that special quality in the chocolate and everybody can tell."

A NEW COLUMN COMING UP IN THE NEW YEAR OF 2010

JE, HUU NI UNGWANA MBANA MBEGU? A man killing his wife and children after getting annoyed by his wife because of refusing him to see the children. Je huu ni ungwana? - MORE

Revellers have braved freezing conditions in London to see the New Year fireworks spectacular on the banks of the River Thames, which engulfed the London Eye in a blaze of colour. An estimated 400,000 people were expected to have lined the embankments to catch the 10-minute salvo, which lit up the misty night sky over the British capital. Following on from the stunning firework shows at the Beijing Olympics earlier this year, London is keen to prove that it too can put on spectacular displays at public events as it gears up to host the 2012 Games.

METHALI YA KISWAHILI

Konzo ya maji haifumbatiki.

A handfull of water can not be grasped.

Pig crash chaos closes motorway

A dozen rogue pigs escaped and ran around the M11 motorway near Harlow, shutting it down for hours, after a lorry carrying a consignment of 82 pigs overturned. The southbound M11 towards London was shut after the HGV carrying the pigs crashed. Essex Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene of the collision at Junction 8 - where they discovered about 12 animals had escaped from the lorry and were running free on the road. A spokesman said that the carriageway was closed at 5.21am while emergency crews tried to round up the animals and secure them in a makeshift pen.  An Essex Police spokesman said that about 50 of the animals, which each weigh around 20st (127kg), were left trapped in the wreckage, which was blocking two lanes of the highway. A vet and officers from the RSPCA were also involved in rescuing the trapped pigs, and treating injured ones.  The runaway pigs were left grazing on the embankment, before being transported away in lorries.

Tears for hundreds in KCPE list of cheats in Kenya. The full extent of irregularities in the 2009 Standard Eight exams was revealed on Wednesday as actual results reached schools and 2,000 candidates found their results had been cancelled. But on Wednesday, pupils were in shock when they learnt that eight years of primary school had gone up in flames. It also emerged that results of seven inmates from Thika prison were cancelled. The candidates, who sat the examination behind bars, were found to have cheated in social studies and science. Private schools had the higher proportion of cheating cases, which increased from 1,835 in 2008 and 1,802 in 2007. Of the 80 schools where candidates cheated, 33 were from private schools out of a total of 3,168 private schools. The rest of the schools, 47, were public schools out of a total of 17,669 public schools countrywide. At the Coast province, results for 200 candidates were cancelled because of cheating. Data from the Coast provincial education office showed that 15 schools out of the 1,362 that sat the KCPE were affected. Some of the results were cancelled after cheating was detected in English, Kiswahili and science papers. Those found to have cheated in English alone were 147, both in English and Kiswahili 58, science alone 34, both in Kiswahili and Science 31 and Kiswahili alone 20. In his speech, the minister said from 2010, any exam candidate who cheats will be barred from taking any Kenya National Examination Council tests for two years. - Daily Nation.

RAILA Vs RUTO

Obama Quietly Changes U.S. Immigration Policy

New America Now, News Analysis,Edward Alden,  Dec 28, 2009

The Obama administration quietly announced last week that it would overturn one of the harsh immigration enforcement measures enacted by the Bush administration following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Beginning next month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said, those who arrive in the United States fleeing torture or persecution abroad will no longer automatically be welcomed with handcuffs and months in a jail cell. Instead, many of those seeking protection will again be permitted to live freely in the country while their applications for permanent asylum are considered by an immigration judge.

The measure is the latest in a string of little-noticed initiatives by the Obama DHS to reconsider some of the most controversial enforcement policies of the past decade. The administration in August launched an overhaul of the immigration detention system, which had grown out of control as the number of detainees doubled in just five years to more than 440,000 annually. Some of those were simply lost in the system, while others fell ill and died due to poor medical care, and the administration has pledged to stop such abuses. That same month, it moved families out of the notorious T. Don Hutto immigrant detention facility in Texas, which had become a national disgrace after revelations that pregnant women and small children were being held there in prison-like conditions.

The administration has also largely halted workplace raids that resulted in jailing, deportation and even criminal charges for many unauthorized workers, and is focused instead on in-depth audits of companies suspected of hiring those workers. And DHS has curbed the authority of state and local police forces to demand immigration documents from anyone stopped for minor offenses like traffic violations, saying that such checks should be done only for those jailed on criminal charges, particularly for serious criminal offenses. To drive home the point, DHS in October stripped the notorious Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona of federal authority to make immigration-related arrests.

The administration is walking a narrow line. The White House believes it must hold tough on enforcement if there is any hope of assembling a political coalition in Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform next year. Janet Napolitano, the DHS secretary, says the administration has done what Congress sought on everything from the U.S.-Mexico border fence to the E-Verify system for authorizing workers, and that the time has come to enact other elements of reform, including a legalization program for many unauthorized immigrants. If Congress does not believe her claims on enforcement, the rest of the package will likely be dead on arrival.

But at the same time, the administration wants to demonstrate that it’s possible to be tough without being unfair and inhumane. The treatment of asylum claimants is just one example of where the United States had gone awry. Under guidelines enacted in 1997, once an arriving individual had shown immigration officials a “credible fear” of persecution or torture back home, he could be “paroled” into the country to await a judge’s decision on his application to remain, which could take many months.

But after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Bush administration began to clamp down, arguing that those released might simply disappear, remaining as illegal immigrants and perhaps even posing a terrorist threat. According to a recent study by Human Rights First, about 40 per cent of those asylum seekers were still being paroled in 2004; by 2007 that number had dropped to just four per cent. Senator Patrick Leahy, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, called that figure “an affront to our ideals as a nation that aspires to be a beacon of light to persecuted refugees.”  The Obama administration’s new policy, which will end such routine incarceration, had been urged by everyone from the bipartisan United States Commission on International Religious Freedom to the United Nations High Commission on Refugees. And there is no reason to believe that the risks will rise significantly. There is considerable evidence, for instance, that alternative programs to monitor those released will ensure that they comply with whatever ruling a judge finally reaches.

Other initiatives show this more nuanced approach as well. The workplace raids, which were intended to send a warning to companies that hired unauthorized workers, mostly just hurt the workers themselves. Last year, only 13 companies were prosecuted for hiring undocumented workers. Now, the Obama administration is instead focusing on expanded audits of the paper trail that companies must keep on their workforce. Arrests and deportations of workers are down, but hefty fines against the companies are up, providing strong incentives for them to maintain a legal workforce. This is hardly a benign approach – ask the families of the 1,800 immigrant workers who were fired from American Apparel in Los Angeles following an audit – but it marks a departure from the Bush policy of summarily jailing and deporting any unauthorized workers arrested in the raids.

The recent initiatives are only first steps, and the administration is still facing criticism from its own liberal allies that it is simply continuing the Bush administration’s enforcement policies. Indeed, by any of the hard measures – detentions, criminal prosecutions, deportations, the number of Border Patrol agents – there has been no softening of the toughest immigration enforcement campaign in recent U.S. history. Still, the changes in the last year are significant, even if they are as yet little recognized. Indeed, the Obama administration itself has not made much effort to advertise the new measures. With the tough fight looming ahead next year on comprehensive immigration reform, it is easy to understand why.

Lemon: Benefits &Uses

Lemon has been proved to be a blessing for mountaineers. In the cases of insufficient oxygen and difficulty in breathing lemon comes to their rescue. Edmund Hillary, the first man to put his foot on the top of Mt. Everest, has admitted that his victory over Mt. Everest was greatly due to lemon.

SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON THURSDAY 31ST DEC. 2009

New Year's revellers are being warned to prepare for bitter conditions, the Daily Express reports and on right The Daily Mail's lead says the recession has forced half a million people to return home to live with their parents. 

MAKE  A DATE TO TOUR LONDON

TODAY WE ARE VISITING -  TOWER OF LONDON -  CLICK HERE FOR MORE

South Africa President Jacob Zuma 'to marry third wife'

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma is set to marry his third wife on Monday 4th January, 2010, according to reports. Mr Zuma, a Zulu, was meant to marry his fiance Thobeka Mabhija, 36, earlier this year but the wedding was postponed due to Mr Zuma's political commitments. He married his second wife, Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma, two years ago. He is also divorced from Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Polygamous marriages are common in the Zulu culture especially in rural areas. When Mr Zuma, 66, was inaugurated as president in May, speculation was rife about who would be the first lady. Mr Zuma has attended some high-profile events with all his wives, including Ms Mabhija. Inkosi Bhekumuzi Zuma, leader of Mr Zuma's clan in his home area of Nkandla, and a relative of the president, said the wedding ceremony would take place on Monday 4 January, reports the Sapa news agency. Mr Zuma paid ilobolo (dowry) to the Mabhija family two years ago. Earlier this year, the Mabhija family sent gifts to the Zuma family, an indication that all matters regarding the wedding, including a date, had been set, reports say. The wedding will be a "private affair" attended by "close friends, family and locals", according to reports in the Sowetan newspaper. The BBC's attempts to get comment from the presidency have been futile. This will be Mr Zuma's fifth wedding. He has been married to Sizakele Khumalo since 1973. Kate Mantsho-Zuma died in 2000.

NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATIONS IN ROMAN WAY PUB, LUTON

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Some Kenyans are good actors

Have you heard of a story of two Kenyans men from Ruaka, Kiambu, Kenya who visited their daughters in USA last month. The story goes that during their one month stay in the US, they took the bull by the horns. One Sunday morning their daughters went to work and left them bored in the house. They decided to look for a church for worship. After an hour of walking they found a big church. The congregation were happy to see two black visitors in their church. They were given a chance to introduced themselves. They explained that they were from Kenya and they had been looking for a place of worship. The congregation was excited. They were asked to sing a song. The two started looking at each other as they were not church goers and the only song they knew well is what they sing in bars while drinking. One of them whispered to the other: "Andû aya matiûî gîkûyû, nîtûine rwa bar." meaning this people don't understand kikuyu let us sing the one we sing in bar. They started the kikuyu song which goes like this: "Lucy ûrîa weitire, etwo nî mûthûriwe maraya....." as the song hots up one of them started crying..... to the excitement of the congregation. Sources say they were also given a substantial amount of money at the service. They are from the land of "hakuna matata".

A fish dealer displays fresh Nile perch at a market in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, on Tuesday as shoppers prepare for the New Year festivities.

Somali man 'tried to take bomb onto plane'

A Somali man is in custody in Mogadishu, suspected of trying to take explosives onto a plane in November, officials have revealed. He had chemicals, liquid and a syringe - materials similar to those used by the Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up a plane on Christmas Day. The Daallo Airlines plane was due to fly to the northern Somali city of Hargeisa, then to Djibouti and Dubai. The airport is in one of the few areas controlled by the Somali government.

Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (right) poses with fellow pupils from a British international school in Togo, while on a school trip to London in 2001. Eight years later, on 24 December 2009, he allegedly tried to blow up an airliner over Detroit. RIGHT: An official handout image said to show Mr Abdulmutallab's charred underpants and an explosive packet. He is accused of trying to detonate a device as Northwest Airlines Flight 253 prepared to land at Detroit.

Kenya among our best, declare Chinese at fair

Kenya also received an award as the third best overseas destination for the people of China. According to the Kenya Tourist Board managing director, Mr Muriithi Ndegwa, the awards were a boost to the boards’ strategy of focusing on emerging markets. “The two awards are a positive development to Kenya and demonstrates that we are a top of mind destination for the Chinese people,” said Mr Ndegwa. Kenya has in the past years been ranked as a high-end tourist destination targeting traditional source markets like the United Kingdom and US.  However, over the past two years, the focus has shifted with more effort being made to woo guests from emerging markets, China included. Although the events of the post-election violence in early 2008 marred the campaign targeting new source markets, recovery has been posted. This has, however, been slowed down in some cases due to the effects of the global financial crisis that resulted into a cut in leisure travels. - Daily Nation.

Nyambe Namushanawa's photo of two older lions was taken in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. "They have the right of way," he said.On is a shot of a cheeky pair on monkeys taken along the road to Gulu in northern Uganda.

Malawi 'gay wedding' couple deny indecency charges

Two gay men arrested in Malawi after getting engaged have pleaded not guilty to charges of gross public indecency. Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza appeared at a packed court in Malawi's biggest city Blantyre, where they will ask for bail on Monday. The pair held a traditional engagement ceremony over the weekend - believed to be the first gay couple in Malawi to start the process of getting married. Homosexual acts carry a maximum prison sentence of 14 years in Malawi. The BBC's Raphael Tenthani in Blantyre says large crowds of onlookers went to see the couple in court. He says some people congratulated them but other shouted insults. Prosecutors say they will send the pair to hospital to prove they have had sex together. They face three charges of unnatural practices between males and gross indecency. Mr Monjeza, 26, hinted that he may consider calling off the proposed wedding, as he was sent back to prison. "I am sad I am going back to Chichiri Prison," he said. "The condition are terrible there. People are exaggerating this thing. I may just as well dissolve this marriage." Mr Chimbalanga, 20, dressed in women's clothes, refused to speak to journalists, beyond accusing them of writing "stupid" things. They were arrested on Monday at the home they share.

Superintendent of Police Joseph Maritim charged with possessing over 100,000 rounds of live ammunition and  military attire presented himself in a Nairobi court on Wednesday 30th December, 2009 after the prosecution claimed that he had gone into hiding. On Monday Nairobi Chief Magistrate Gilbert Mutembei issued a warrant of arrest against him after Senior Principal State Counsel told the court that the AP Chief Armourer had gone missing following the suspension of his cash bail by the High Court on the eve of the Christmas. Maritim's lawyer Karathe Wandungi told Senior Principal Magistrate that Maritim learnt of the arrest warrant in the media and presented himself in court. Narok businessman Muneer Ismail and his wife Nahid Tabasum were remanded on Monday after they surrendered to the police on learning that Justice Roslyn Wendo had cancelled the one million cash bail that had been granted to them. Another suspect Johh Wandeto Kiragu charged with illegally keeping military attire in Narok and Nanyuki on the 7th and 11th of December this year was also remanded after presenting himself. The fifth suspect Dominic Ambisai Mufumu is still on the run. The state intends to consolidate the case facing the five suspects when it will be mentioned on January the 8th 2010.

TOP KCPE BOY IN KENYA

Peter Kamenju Njoroge from Lily Academy in Thika emerged the top student in this year’s KCPE examination released Tuesday by Education Minister Sam Ongeri. Njoroge scored 438 out of a possible 500 marks. This year’s KCPE top candidate Peter Njoroge Kamenju is joined by teachers and pupils of Lily Academy of Githurai in celebrating his chart-topping marks, Tuesday. - The Standard.

Earth tremor hits parts of Kenya

Eldoret, Kenya, Dec 30 - Scores of people were on Wednesday evacuated from buildings in Eldoret after an earth tremor rocked the town. Witnesses said people were forced to scamper for safety after buildings were plunged into darkness. No damage was reported. The effects were also felt in Kitale, Matunda, Lugari, Kakamega and other parts of North Rift. The tremor was felt in high-rise buildings in the town and residential houses. There were reports of a stampede at the Kerio Valley Development Authority plaza as people scrambled to leave the building fearing aftershocks.  No injuries were reported. Occupants of the building eventually returned to work after several hours. The 14-floor KVDA building is one of the tallest and busiest buildings in the town. It was estimated that the tremor could have reached between five and six on the Richter scale.

Joyce Muturi launches her DVD in London

Joyce Muturi of West London launched her new DVD on Saturday 19th December, 2009 in London. The ceremony took place at Northolt Grange Community Centre, Middlesex in West London. The ceremony was well attended by guests from different parts of the UK and the main speaker at the ceremony was Pastor Peter Wangangaru of Family Rebuild Ministries. One of the tracks in the DVD talks about people do a lot of work in life to beautify themselves but they forget to spend time beautifying their hearts for the day is coming when everyone will go to sleep. On left Joyce and Pastor Kasuvu and his wife at the launching of the DVD and on right Joyce and her children performing at the ceremony. For more information please visit www.voiceofjoy.co.uk

Kakamega judge in court over corruption

Kakamega Judge Said Juma Chitembwe was Tuesday arraigned in court and formally charged with abuse of office. Justice Chitembwe however denied fraudulently paying over 8million shillings to a law firm Kikenda and Lilan Advocates during his tenure at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) as the Corporation Secretary. Senior Principal Magistrate Lucy Nyambura issued summons to former NSSF Managing Trustee Rachael Khavaya Lumbasyo charged alongside the judge. Deputy Director of  Prosecution Oriri Onyango told the court that more people will be charged adding that more charges will be preferred against the judge. The Judge was however released on a bond of Shs 500,000 with a surety of similar amount. The crime carries a ten year jail sentence or a fine of 1 million shillings.  The case against him will be mentioned on the 6th of January. Justice Chitembwe was sworn in as a judge last April and posted to the Kakamega High Court. He was among four other High Court and two Appeal Court judges sworn in by President Kibaki at State House, Nairobi. The judge was flown from Mombasa to Nairobi on Monday night to answer to the offences which he allegedly committed when he was the Company Secretary of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). He was removed from the fund last year alongside Mrs Lumbasyo by Labour Minister John Munyes.

"Success in life is to make a smile on someone's face - success is not about money and wealthy" - Rev. Mathew Ashimolowo, KICC, London

Dad Shoots Daughter Dead On Custody Visit

A father has murdered his young daughter, shot his estranged girlfriend and then killed himself after a violent row at the former family home. Forty-year-old mother Julie Harrison has been left fighting for her life after she was shot in the head during the dispute in Aldershot, Hampshire. A violent argument is understood to have broken out as the recently split couple traded access to their four-year-old daughter, Maisie. Police discovered the girl's body alongside that of her 56-year-old father, Andrew Copland, at the terraced house in Church Hill. Officers said the deaths were the result of a "domestic incident" and confirmed they were not looking for another suspect. Ms Harrison was airlifted to a central London hospital, where her condition has been described as "serious and critical". Officers were called to the terraced property when a neighbour dialled 999 to report a row shortly after 10am on Tuesday morning. Det Insp Darren Rawlings said they were met with a "very traumatic" scene. Attempts to resuscitate the girl failed and she was pronounced dead at the scene. It is understood the couple split up around four weeks ago. Police said they were still working towards establishing a motive. "We need to find out why this has happened and exactly what happened in the premises," Mr Rawlings said.

Intelligence and security failures to be "totally unacceptable"

President Barack Obama has said a systemic failure allowed a known extremist with explosives to get onto a US-bound plane last week. Mr Obama said he considered the intelligence and security failures to be "totally unacceptable". The US needed to learn from the incident and act quickly to fix flaws in the system, he said. A Nigerian man charged with attempting to blow up the plane as it came in to land was restrained by passengers. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, allegedly tried to detonate explosives in his underwear. There were nearly 300 people aboard the plane. A Yemen-based offshoot of al-Qaeda has claimed it planned the failed bombing, and Yemeni officials say the group could be planning more attacks.  In a blunt statement, Mr Obama said he wanted to know why a warning weeks ago from Mr Abdulmutallab's father did not lead to the accused being placed on a no-fly list.  "We need to learn from this episode and act quickly to fix flaws in the system," Mr Obama said.  "When our government has information on a known extremist and that information is not shared and acted upon as it should have been, so that this extremist boards a plane with dangerous explosives that could have cost nearly 300 lives, a systemic failure has occurred.

3 Kenyans shot in Juba, Sudan where there are about 70,000 Kenyans living and working there

Strike looms in Kenya transport sector

Nairobi, Kenya, Dec 30 - The Matatu Welfare Association has announced a three day strike starting Monday next week to protest against alleged police harassment. The association's Chairman Dickson Mbugua alleges the transport industry is losing up to 1.5 billion annually owing to bribes and wasted working hours. Announcing the strike on Wednesday Mr Mbugua said Internal Security Minister George Saitoti and the Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere had failed to address their grievances despite numerous assurances. “The intensified crackdowns have become a recipe for extortion and bribes of between Sh5,000 to Sh10,000 per driver and owner,” he said at a consultative meeting of owners and operators of public service vehicles in Nairobi. - CapitalFM

High-speed rail plans submitted

A huge new station in the heart of London will be proposed in north-south, high-speed rail line plans which will be submitted this week to the Government. The station would be capable of handling 14, and eventually 18, trains an hour, with 20,000 passengers travelling in and out every 60 minutes. The 400-metre long trains, which could travel at 250mph, will be able to carry 1,100 passengers, with the first stage of the new line - from London to the West Midlands - possibly opening in 2025. The report going to ministers is from the High Speed 2 (HS2) company which was set up by the Government to identify a buildable route, with station options, for a high-speed train service from London to the West Midlands.

Where to get Kenya Law Reports    

Welcome to the Kenya Law Reports website, published by the National Council for Law Reporting which is a corporate body established by the National Council for Law Reporting Act, 1994. It is given the exclusive mandate of the: "publication of the reports to be known as the Kenya Law Reports which shall contain judgments, rulings and opinions of the superior courts of record, and also undertake such other publications as in the opinion of the Council are reasonably related to or connected with the preparation and publication of the Kenya Law Reports" (section 3). More

Prime Minister of UK Gordon Brown has led furious condemnation in Britain over the execution of London man Akmal Shaikh, after pleas for a reprieve on the grounds of mental illness fell on deaf ears. Akmal Shaikh, 53, was put to death after losing a final appeal last week against his conviction for smuggling heroin. His execution has sparked outrage among campaigners who have said he was mentally ill and had been suffering from delusions when he was arrested in Urumqi, north west China, in September 2007. In a statement, Mr Brown said he was "appalled" and "disappointed" by the execution and offered his condolences to the Shaikh family. He said: "I condemn the execution of Akmal Shaikh in the strongest terms, and am appalled and disappointed that our persistent requests for clemency have not been granted. I am particularly concerned that no mental health assessment was undertaken. "At this time our thoughts are with Mr Shaikh's family and friends and I send them our sincere condolences." Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "I condemn in the strongest terms the execution of the British national Akmal Shaikh. I join the Prime Minister in expressing my deepest condolences to Mr Shaikh's family and friends. "The UK is completely opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances. However I also deeply regret the fact that our specific concerns about the individual in this case were not taken into consideration despite repeated calls by the Prime Minister, ministerial colleagues and me. These included mental health issues, and inadequate professional interpretation during the trial." The statement continued: "The European Union also repeatedly raised the same concerns.

Akmal Shaikh, 53, was put to death today 29th December, 2009 in China

A restaurant in Mansfield Road in Nottingham - when it comes to lunch hour 1.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. the restaurant is closed for the staff to have lunch. Then it is opened at 2.00 p.m.  - Dunia ni ya maajabu

Boys outshine girls in KCPE     Boys have once again proved their prowess over their female counterparts in the just released 2009 KCPE results by dominating most of the top positions across all the eight provinces countrywide. There was also change of guard as Nairobi province defied the trend by subduing the boys and grabbing the 8 top ten positions in the provincial category. Njoroge Peter Kimenju led 45 other boys to secure top ten positions as compared to 30 girls led by Risper Chemutai Kirui and Joy Imali Asena. This year's top student however scored 22 marks less than last year's candidate who scored 460marks. The were only 26 girls in the top 100 compared to 74 boys. The trend was manifest in the provincial top ten positions with boys outdoing the girls above the margin except for Nairobi province. Coast province had the largest number of boys in top ten positions standing at 10 against two positions secured by girls. Seven top ten positions went to boys in Eastern with girls taking only  four positions. Rift Valley had six boys against four girls while Nyanza boys clinched eight leaving the remaining two positions to girls. Seven top ten positions in N. Eastern province went to boys while girls secured 3, almost similar to Western province where boys secured seven leaving only four to the girls. As expected, girls outshined boys in English and Kiswahili both in objective and composition papers. The boys proved unbeatable in Mathematics, Sciences, and social studies and religious education. The two top female candidates Risper Chemutai Kirui from Rift Valley and Imali Joy Asena from Western Province tied in the 3rd position nationally. Education Minister Prof. Sam Ongeri however says the general performance improved compared to last year. The results also exposed regional disparities in performance. The top candidate in North Eastern province scored 410 marks, 17 marks below the number 10 candidate in Nyanza province. This is a worrying trend that puts in jeopardy regional academic balance.

In pictures: Mixed year for UK wildlife

It is not only climate change in the UK there is also animal change

Kenya Govt announces new measures to curb cheating

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will from next year introduce the use of birth certificate numbers for every candidate sitting for national exams to track the movement of each individual in a bid to get rid of exam irregularities. In addition KNEC will also introduce photographs for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificates to mitigate against impersonation.   The move is aimed at addressing the challenge of double registration of candidates in different centres and impersonation according to Education Minister Prof. Sam Ongeri. The minister said to enhance the security of national examinations, the Ministry and the council had continued to put in place various measures to safeguard the credibility of the exams and stamp out irregularities. "Despite the effort we have put in place, we continue to witness cases of examination irregularities during examinations. In 2009, there were 1,904 cases of examination cheating representing 0.26 per cent of the total candidature," he said. Prof. Ongeri said that during this year's exam for the first time in the history of KCPE examination, some candidates were caught with mobile phones in examination rooms. He singled out last year's incident terming it regrettable where a teacher was caught communicating answers to KCPE candidates using a mobile phone.  On the issue of unethical registration practices including double registration of candidates he noted that some parents who have been educating their children in high cost private schools in Nairobi and other areas, register them in schools in rural districts to access good secondary schools under the quota system.  "Such acts deny the rural children their rightful chances and also damage the moral integrity of the child involved for the rest of his or her life," he added. Consequently, the minister announced that from the year 2010 any candidates who cheat in an examination will be barred from taking any KNEC examinations for a period of two years.

US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano conceded today that the aviation security system failed when a man on a watchlist with a powerful explosive hidden on his body was allowed to board a fight from Amsterdam to Detroit. The Obama administration has ordered investigations into the two areas of aviation security - how travellers are placed on watch lists and how passengers are screened - as critics questioned how the 23-year-old Nigerian man charged in the airliner attack was allowed to board the December 25 flight. A day after saying the system worked, Ms Napolitano backtracked, saying her words had been taken out of context. "Our system did not work in this instance," she said on NBC television's Today show. "No one is happy or satisfied with that. An extensive review is under way." The White House press office, travelling with President Barack Obama in Hawaii, said early today that the president would make a statement. White House spokesman Bill Burton did not elaborate. Billions of dollars have been spent on aviation security since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when commercial airliners were hijacked and used as weapons. Much of that money has gone toward training and equipment that some security experts say could have detected the explosive device that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is accused of hiding on his body on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. Abdulmutallab has been charged in federal court with trying to detonate the device as the plane approached Detroit. The device burst into flames instead, according to authorities, and he was subdued by passengers. The plane landed safely. A federal judge in Detroit was expected to decide today whether to grant a request by the government to obtain a DNA sample from Abdulmutallab. His court-appointed lawyer, Detroit's chief federal defender, Miriam Siefer, said Abdulmutallab would not be present at the hearing.

Former Mayor Dr. Kamara meets Bournemouth mayor

As the former Mayor of Nyeri Dr. Kamara and his wife continue with their visit in the UK, they visited the Mayor of Bournemouth Councillor Mrs. Beryl Baxter CMgr, MCMI on 24th December, 2009. Dr. Kamara on the left receiving a gift from the mayor and on the right Dr. Kamara with his family posing with the mayor. Dr. Kamara and his wife also gave the mayor a gift. Dr. Kamara's contact in the UK is 07961815110.

A Kenyan couple in the UK have lost their 11-month-old baby. Mr. Joram Thuo Njoroge and Mrs Edith .N. Thuo (Baba na Mama Wendy) of Crystal Palace, South London lost their son on Sunday 20th December, 2009. Mr. Joram Thuo Njoroge the father of the baby is the son of Mama Ngina na Baba Ngina (Mr. & Mrs. Francis Njoroge Thuo) of Rironi, Limuru former residents of London. Family and friends are meeting for prayers and funeral arrangements at 12 Georgetown Close, Gipsy Hill, London, SE19 1JF every day as from 6.00 p.m. Those wishing to give financial support can do so through Barclays Bank Mr Joram T. Njoroge Sort code 20-66-51 Account 90593745. A fundraising event towards the burial expenses has been organised on Saturday 2nd January, 2010 at the above address as from 4.00 p.m. For more information please contact Mr/Mrs Joram Thuo 07956169594 or 07946373415.

On the left is the family of the late baby Shaun Njoroge Thuo, the father Mr. Joram Thuo (centre) and the late Baby Shaun Njoroge Thuo. The couple is well known as Mama na Baba Wendy. A fundraising event towards the burial expenses has been organised on Saturday 2nd January, 2010 at the above address as from 4.00 p.m.

THE BURIAL PROGRAMME

FUNDRAISING:

The fundraising takes place on Saturday 2nd January, 2010 at 12 Georgetown Close, London SE19 1JF as from 4.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Bus no. 3 from Brixton Station and Bus no. 322 from Crystal Palace and British Railway from Victoria or London Bridge and alight at Gipsy Hill. - CLICK HERE FOR THE MAP.

BURIAL CEREMONY:

The burial ceremony takes place on Wednesday 6th January, 2010. Church Service at UK World Evangelism Church, 2A Gosterwood Street, Deptford, SE8 5NX as from 10.30 to 12.00 noon. Behind KFC. Church contact Bishop Simon Iheanacho 0208 6915175 - www.ukwet.org. Bus no. 47 from London Bridge, 199 from Catford and 188 from Elephant and Castle. Nearest Tube Station is Canada Water, Deptford  or Newcross.  - CLICK HERE FOR THE MAP

CEMETERY:

South London Crematorium (Streatham), South London, Rowan Road, SW16 5JG as from 1.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. Bus No. 118 from Brixton and Bus no. 60 from Cryodon. Nearest British Railway station is Streatham Common. - CLICK HERE FOR THE MAP

Fight To Save Village From Sea Erosion

A retired engineer determined to prevent his home being sacrificed to the sea is battling on, despite being denied the right to maintain his self-made sea defences.  Peter Boggis was not prepared to watch more homes fall off the cliff in the tiny Suffolk village of Easton Bavents, and brought in 250,000 tonnes of earth to defend it. "The goverment has failed to protect the land therefore I have protected it myself without cost to the nation, and got on with the job which I'm afraid has very much irritated bureaucracy," said Mr Boggis. "They said it could not be defended and was not defendable. They have been proved wrong." Mr Boggis began his mission seven years ago. He used surplus soil from road developments to build compacted earth defences costing close to £500,000. But he had no planning permission, and since the area was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest four years ago, he has been banned from maintaining those defences.

Lemon: Benefits &Uses

Natural Air Refresher

Burn over a small fire a few slices of lemon skin. This will remove all cooking odour and it's a natural air refresher! You can also place some lemon skin into your socks/ stockings for a great smell!

Bogus bride jailed for part in fake marriage scam

Home Office, 23 December 2009

A Dutch woman who tried to take part in a bogus marriage with an illegal immigrant has been jailed for six months at Coventry Crown Court. Eunice Ridderstap pleaded guilty on 16 December to facilitating a breach of immigration law by entering into a sham marriage with a non-EU citizen. If completed, this marriage would have enabled the non-EU citizen to remain in the UK by deception. Acting on intelligence, UK Border Agency officers swooped on the Parish Church of St Albans in Stoke Heath, Coventry on 18 July just before Ridderstap was due to marry Vincent Akingbo, a Nigerian national. Akingbo had entered the UK illegally and was arrested along with his 'bride'. He was removed back to Nigeria in September. Gail Adams, UK Border Agency Regional Director, said:

'This was a serious attempt to facilitate illegal entry into the UK. Our Immigration Crime Teams across the West Midlands are cracking down hard on this type of abuse of our immigration system. 'We expect foreign nationals to play by the rules or we will take swift action. This case sends out a clear message that we will not hesitate to prosecute and deport those involved in sham marriages. 'Identity cards for foreign nationals will prevent this sort of abuse in the future by locking individuals down to one identity through their facial image and fingerprints.'

Over recent years the UK Border Agency has clamped down on sham marriages with suspected sham marriages falling from over 3,500 in 2004 to under 400 in 2008. Identity cards for foreign nationals are being introduced which will further prevent immigration abuse. Individuals will be locked down to one identity through their facial image and fingerprints.

Now M-Pesa in Bedford

Moonlight Beauty & Cosmetics

6 Greyfriars,BEDFORD, MK40 1HP.

TEL. 07868 704 959 / 01234 269 037

• Send Goods to Kenya on weekly basis for great rates.

• Sending money to Kenya using M-Pesa is now faster, simpler, safer, direct, and 100%

• guaranteed with Moonlight Beauty.

• For more info, contact Jane on the above number.

CUSTOM HOMES HOLDINGS LIMITED

200 Plots (1 acre each) for sale in Ruai - Embakasi

One (1) Acres @ KShs. 950,000 until 15th November. Price increase to KShs. 1.4 million from 16thNovember, 2009 with 10% discount

Plots and houses with approved plan for sale in Ruai - Embakasi, Kenya.

The construction is controlled with Runda type of construction in mind.

Features: The land  is ideally located in a hub of economic activity, just 11 km from Jomo Kenyatta Airport and close to the new site of Wilson Airport and the new highway - the Eastern Bypass.  (15 minutes drive from airport through new Eastern Bypass).  

The Estate will benefit from social amenities which include:

• 3 commercial centres (Malls)

• Anglican University

• Hotel

• Hospital

• Primary school

• Police post,

• Own power station - enabling piped gas and electricity (Western Style).

• Communal park.  

The land consists of 1,600 acres but only 200 (one acre) plots are being sold.  The remainder is being developed by a UK developer for a CITY within CITY town. Nairobi Metropolitan City has been extended to Machakos and that means the land will be in the city centre in a few years time.

To reserve your plot, a deposit of KShs. 100,000 is payable with balance to be completed within 6 months. Conveyance fee is KShs. 20,000 to be paid at the offices of Nyiha, Mukoma & Co. Advocates while presenting your receipt.

To safeguard the interest of the Kenyans in the Diaspora and to avoid the land scandals, a reportable lawyer, Nyiha, Mukoma & Co. Advocates have been appointed.

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OUR LAWYER - NYIHA, MUKOMA & CO. ADVOCATES TO SEE THAT EVERYONE GETS HIS OR HER TITLE DEEDS AFTER COMPLETING THE PAYMENTS:

WHERE TO PAY -  KENYA, UK OR USA

GBP ACCOUNT DETAILS - THOSE IN UK

Intermediary Bank Name: CITIBANK N.A,

CITIBANK HOUSE, 336 STRAND, LONDON, WC2R 1HB - ENGLAND.             

Swift:                                      CITIGB2L

Sort Code:                             18-50-08

GBP A/C No:                         10280984

Account with Institution:  Chase Bank (K) Ltd.

P.O Box 28987, Nairobi

                                                WABERA STREET.

A/C WITH INSTITUTION SWIFT CODE:            CKENKENA

Beneficiary Name:                               Nyiha Mukoma and Co Advocates   

Beneficiary Account:                          3384055               

US DOLLARS ACCOUNT DETAILS - THOSE IN THE USA

INTERMEDIARY BANK:   CITIBANK N.A,

                                                111 WALL STREET 19TH FLOOR ZONE 1,

                                                NEW YORK, NY 10043.                          

SWIFT:                                                   CITIUS33

ABA No:                                                 021000089

USD A/C NO:                                        36157333

ACCOUNT WITH INSTITUTION:        CHASE BANK (K) LTD.

A/C WITH INSTITUTION SWIFT CODE:            CKENKENA

BENEFICIARY NAME:             Nyiha Mukoma and Co Advocates   

BENEFICIARY ACCOUNT:    3384039               

For Kenya Shillings Deposits - THOSE IN KENYA

                                                                Chase Bank

Swift Code:              

Bank & Branch Code          :               030

Branch                                    :               001

Branch Name                        :               City Square

Account Name                      :               Nyiha, Mukoma & Company Advocates

A/c  Number                           :               0003384004

WHERE TO TAKE YOUR RECEIPT AND SELECTING YOUR PLOT:

Nyiha, Mukoma & Co. Advocates, 3rd Floor, Old Mutual Building, Kimathi Street

P.O Box 28491 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya, Tel: +254-020-249247/8

Fax: +254-020-249373, email: jnyiha@nyihamukoma.com

VIEWING THE LAND:

There is a free transport to view the land on TUESDAYS, THURSDAY AND SATURDAYS

To book an appointment to view the land contact 0722720436.

UK CONTACTS

Maggy Thuku - 07536497907 - email thukumeg@yahoo.co.uk

or

Mr. Seed on 07951220695 - email - misterseed@hotmail.co.uk

[1]

IKO NINI BWANA SEED ARCHIVE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? DECEMBER, 2010 - PART ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? DECEMBER 2009 - PART TWO

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? DECEMBER 2009 - PART TWO

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? NOVEMBER 2009 - PART ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? NOVEMBER 2009 - PART TWO

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? OCTOBER 2009 - PART ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? OCTOBER 2009 - PART TWO

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? OCTOBER 2009 - PART TWO

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