Iko Nini Bwana Seed?

WHAT UK NEWSPAPERS SAY

A KENYAN LAW FIRM IN UK - CAPITALfm RADIO fff - KAMEME RADIO IS BACK AGAIN

  LISTEN TO HODSIM RADIO OF BISHOP WARUI  - LONDON

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 (far left) and his family were in Jerusalem for Christmas to see baby Jesus. But the family were caught on Boxing Day in Market Square, Nottingham, UK where they have joined the rest of the Seeds family for the 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.

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

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.

As part of Kenyan doing Master's degree programme at the University of Westminster in London, an editor of a magazine called CURIOUS which published stories about curious and weird people in the world gave him an assignment. For his part  he travelled to Ebbw Vale in South Wales on a special assignment to  photograph and interview one of the most bizarre  persons in the UK. Meet JOHN BEVAN, he had a picture of the cartoon character- Puff the Magic Dragon- tattooed onto his PENIS! ... His extra-ordinary  endurance paid off after 90 hours of bizarre artwork on his genitals which took 2 years to complete at a jaw dropping cost of £5,000. We cannot publicise the pictures because the pictures are nude and our readers might find them 'distasteful'.

WE ARE NOT GOING - THIS IS OUR HOME

Mayon Volcano Near Eruption. The Mayon volcano in the Philippines in Legazpi City, Albay Province, is on the verge of erupting, vulcanologists predict. A soldier carries a girl away from danger during a forced evacuation from the town of Guinobatan, in Albay Province and on right the volcano started to release lava early last week and was spewing out burning mud and rocks.

Shoppers in UK face a New Year sales nightmare as retailers dither over when to reimpose the full rate of VAT. Drivers, drinkers and shoppers will suffer an £11billion ‘VAT shock’ - the amount the cut saved them this year. The sales tax was slashed to 15 per cent a year ago to boost consumer spending, but will return to 17.5 per cent on New Year’s Day. But while some stores are imposing the increase from Friday, others have decided to hold on until February or even longer to maintain the post-Christmas shopping boom. Some store chains will operate a two-tier pricing system, with selected goods kept at the current price while others bear the full weight of the rise. Business chiefs have branded the timing of the increase ‘insane’. Retailers have been enjoying a bumper sales period, with record numbers of bargain-hunters bucking the recession. The number of shoppers out on Sunday was up nearly 18 per cent on last year, and the British Retail Consortium said it had seen the strongest start to the post Christmas sales in years, ‘if not ever’. The shopping bonanza, expected to total £21.9billion, comes after a desperate year for retailers that saw companies such as Woolworths, Zavvi and Threshers disappear. Chancellor Alistair Darling temporarily reduced VAT to 15 per cent last December to boost the economy after the banking collapse in autumn 2008. He has rejected pleas by retail chains for the reduction to be extended. But several major retailers insisted yesterday they would maintain current prices to keep attracting shoppers. Billionaire retail boss Sir Philip Green said he would be absorbing the cost of the VAT increase at all his Arcadia Group stores, including Top Shop, Bhs and Dorothy Perkins. John Lewis will not increase prices until February, while Argos is to wait until the publication of its new catalogue at the end of January. This will help reduce the cost of changing all their prices. The British Retail Consortium estimates that changing prices on shelves and at tills twice in a year will leave businesses with a bill of £500 million. Sir Stuart Rose, executive chairman of Marks & Spencer, has already criticised the January 1 deadline.

Couple killed as matatu veers off road

A man and his wife are among six people who died after a matatu they were travelling in was involved in an accident along the Nyeri-Nyahururu road. The couple is said to have been headed to Nyahururu from Nyeri when the matatu hit a pothole and veered off the road then rolled several times. Three people died on the spot among them the matatu driver while four others were admitted to Nyahururu District Hospital after the Sunday accident. A few metres away from the first accident scene, another matatu rolled after its front tyre burst, killing two people on the spot. A third person died in hospital on Monday morning. Sources at Nyahururu District Hospital said the other six accident victims admitted at the hospital were responding well to treatment. In Nyahururu, the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident along the Njabini-Miharati-Ol Kalou road during which eight family members died will be arraigned in court soon. - Daily Nation.

A Kenyan woman died on Christmas morning (24th Dec. 2009) after a possible slip on ice outside her home in Irving, Texas, USA. Elizabeth Wanjiru Njoroge well known by friends as Liza was found lying in the snow outside her apartment in the morning by a friend with whom she shared the apartment with. The cause of her death has been ruled as hypothermia. Liza passed away early in the morning on Christmas day 2009. Liza is survived by her parents Sylvester Njoroge, Mary Wanjiru Njoroge, her daughter Malaika Wanjiru Karani, her brother Martin Mwangi Njoroge (Kenya), her sisters’ Wanja Karanja, Lucy Mukami Njoroge, Penny Murugi Njoroge and Jane Nduta Njoroge (Canada). Family and friends are meeting for prayers and funeral arrangements at Clarandon Apartments, 3824 North Beltline Rd #192, Irving, Texas 75038. For more information contact the following numbers 214-724-5076 (Sylvester Njoroge-Dad), 214-284-5845 (Wanja Karanja-Sister), 214-694-4737 (Penny- Sister), 214-577-8071 (Mary Wanjiru Njoroge-Mum), 972-977-1095 (Lucy Mukami- Sister) or 469-878-4626 (Karanja Mwangi). For donations for funeral expenses please use the following bank details: Wanja Karanja, Bank of America, Acct#  4880 26808808, Routing#  111000025.

The late Elizabeth Wanjiru Njoroge

Heavy snow warning for east Wales and central England

An early warning of heavy snow during Tuesday and Wednesday 29th and 30th December, 2009 in parts of Wales and central England has been issued. The Met Office said Shropshire and Herefordshire may be affected, while high ground in eastern Wales could see snowfall above 25cm (9.8ins). Transport and power supplies are likely to face disruption, it added. Liverpool's John Lennon Airport is now operating normally after disruptions caused by freezing fog, including several diversions and cancellations. Seven incoming flights were diverted and 10 outgoing flights cancelled after visibility on the runway was reduced to just 300m (984ft). There are still some delays but the airport is now fully operational. According to the Met Office, 10-15cm (3.9-5.9ins) of snow is likely in the affected areas of Wales and central England. Forecasters expect sleet and snow to spread from the south during Tuesday, persisting well into Wednesday. The Met Office warning said: "The snow will be heavy at times with drifting likely in strong easterly winds, leading to blizzard conditions over hills." The Welsh assembly Government said contingency plans were ready to keep main roads open and that its stock of salt for motorways was available as a reserve for councils.

Goats this Christmas ran to the roof tops to save their lives in Nairobi

During Christmas season in Kenya, goats, sheep and cows are always in danger. Without slaughtering a goat and cooking chapatis Christmas is not complete in many homes in Kenya. One clever goat new the trick - climb to the top of a house and you are safe. Photo by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi, Kenya.

Naked cyclists given helmet warning  

Two naked men who were stopped by police while on a late night nude bike ride were allowed to go free - on the condition that they put on helmets. 'They were wanting to experience total freedom,' said Senior Constable Cathy Duder, who stopped the pair about 10 p.m. on a recent night in the beach resort town of Whangamata.  She told them: 'You may experience total confinement. You should head home and get helmets.' The duo turned tail and headed directly back to their house, Duder told The Associated Press on Wednesday. She said she did not see them again during her shift, and it was not known if they donned helmets and resumed their ride. Public nudity can attract a charge of offensive behaviour in New Zealand, but Duder said she cut the two men a break. 'It was dark and there was no one else around. They were jovial young men who had not intended to cause offense,' she said. She described the two as 'happy young men in their mid-20s ... they appeared to be as sober as two judges.'  The December 7 encounter, which has only just come to light, probably signaled the start of what Duder described as summer hijinks in Whangamata, a popular surfing and holiday getaway where partying is common during Christmas and New Year season.

Mungiki: Security tightened in Naivasha

Nairobi, Monday 28th December, 2009. Security personnel in Naivasha are on high alert following reports that members of the outlawed Mungiki sect were planning to hold a meeting in the town. Naivasha Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Joseck Nasio said police had received information indicating that members of the sect had been searching for a venue for the meeting. The meeting is allegedly meant to chart way forward after the Mungiki leader Maina Njenga deserted the sect and converted to Christianity. "It's alleged the Mungiki members want to meet to elect new officials, but we are not going to allow it," Mr. Nasio said. Mr. Nasio warned that anybody trying to disrupt peace in the town will be dealt with without mercy. Police in the past have arrested hundreds of suspected Mungiki members in Naivasha and recovered paraphernalia believed to be used in oathing ceremonies. Meanwhile, Naivasha town came to life after the lull of the Christmas festivities that saw the town almost deserted. A number of businesses in the Central Business District (CBD) that had closed during the holiday opened Monday, while a few remained closed. However, business was low especially at Naivasha main open- air market that supplies fresh farm produce to the town. Only a handful of shoppers could be seen shopping in the market.  Some of the residents who had traveled to could also be seen flocking back to the town with most businesses reporting slow business at the beginning of the week.

Baby seal visits family 18 miles from sea

A family in Kent got an unexpected Christmas visitor - a seal pup who turned up in their back garden, despite the fact that they were nowhere near the sea. The animal was spotted by Harriet Dwyer, 24, sitting in the snow at the house in Benenden, Kent, on Monday. Her father, Professor Tim Dwyer, said: 'It was bizarre, really. My daughter was out with our dog Jack in the snow when she came in and said "There's a seal in the garden."  'I said "No, it must be an otter." We all went out and under the hedge was a seal looking quite chirpy and slithering around in the snow.' It is thought the pup, which is just under a year old, emerged from the tiny stream at the bottom of the garden after swimming up the River Rother which leads out to the English Channel.

More than 800 nurses leave Kenya every year to seek employment abroad especially in the United States of America. Most of them are women aged between 30 to 46 years working in the public health sector and are highly qualified, statistics at the Nursing Council of Kenya show.  Statistics from the Nursing council of Kenya indicate that on average 840 nurses apply for verification of their certificates with an intention to migrate.  “Countries of destination are the USA accounting for 59 per cent of applications and the UK with 27 percent,” the Secretary General of the Union of Kenya Civil Servants, Mr Tom Odege, said during the International migrants day. Mr Odege said migrants day celebration comes at a time when more and more workers are moving across the globe in search of work against the backdrop of an economic crisis and rising unemployment. He said the migration of the public health sector workers has contributed to the deterioration of services to Kenyans because there are about 17,000 nurses against the required 45,000 for hospitals to function effectively. The report reveals that an estimated 10,000 nurses work in the private sector with approximately 1,500 to 1,800 nurses graduating annually from the 53 medical training colleges and seven universities training nurses in Kenya. It said that despite this good production, there lacks an policy to employ these nurses thus bringing a great challenge for the country to meet millennium development goals. He said Public Services International and its affiliate unions in Kenya were working hard to defend better pay and working conditions so that the health care workers have an option to stay.  – Daily Nation.

MAASAI PROVERB

Mepal oloitiko isirat lenyena.

A Zebra does not despise its own stripes.

(One should not abuse his traditions).

CCBC Swahili Service Church Christmas Party

It was Christmas Party with a difference. Starting with a three-course dinner and crowning it with a dance till morning. It was dancing the Biblical way - dancing the King David way - all Christian songs and no alcohol. It was everyone for himself but God for us all at the Swahili Church Branch at their Christmas Party celebrations in an exclusive London hotel on Sunday night 20th December, 2009. Some came ready to two away their body at the dance floor. Full story and all photos coming up today. - CLICK HERE FOR ALL PHOTOS

There are about 80,000 Chinese students studying in the UK comparing with about 8,000 Kenyan students in the UK

The Seeds Team would like wish our Readers,

Advertisers, Moderators, Friends and Enemies a

Merry Christmas and a New Prosperous  Year 2010.

Thanks for your support.

A LUO PROVERB

Lewi eno jiemni.

Your tongue may bring calamity on you.

The saying used to caution a tactless talkative person.

Weigh all options before acting.

Snow creates travel meltdown

Snow and ice continues to cause travel chaos across the UK, a day after thousands of motorists were stranded by wintry conditions. Freezing weather which has killed more than 90 people is continuing to cause transport problems across Europe. Air, rail and road services have been severely disrupted but some routes have now resumed. Eurostar resumed a limited service and flights restarted from Europe's third-biggest airport - in Frankfurt - on Tuesday after it was closed overnight. In Poland, where 10 people died in a single day, the winter death toll now stands at 79. The bitterly cold weather across much of the continent combined with heavy snow in some areas has caused cancellations and delays at airports and forced train lines to close. The disruption has come during the busy Christmas holiday season, affecting many people's travel plans. But after three days of cancelled services, Eurostar trains began running between Brussels, Paris and London.

KIKUYU PROVERB

Muthua Ngoro ti mûthua Kûgûrû

He that is lame on heart is unlike him that is lame on foot - cannot be recognised.

Probably the worst Best Man ever

Originally posted by the couple that were married at this disastrous affair, this clip has just run and run. The curious amongst us would like to have seen the aftermath of the Best Man's unfortunate mishap, although, for the squeamish, it's probably better that we didn't get to see the bride laying into him with both fists. - VIDEO

Snow and ice 'worst in 20 years'

Ice and snow have left Scotland's roads in their worst condition for 20 years, the transport minister has said. Temperatures have dropped as low as -16C and several areas of the country were hit by heavy snowfalls. The runway at Edinburgh Airport was closed until early afternoon due to snow and a plane slid off the runway at Prestwick Airport. Several roads were closed because of snow and a bus overturned in Perthshire. No-one was seriously hurt. Fourteen gritters were among vehicles which crashed on Highland roads. Transport Secretary Stewart Stevenson told the BBC: "When you have weather conditions of -16C, when even salted water will start to freeze, you are not able to keep the roads open continuously.

"Your talent is a signpost pointing toward your destiny." - Sanity, Grace, Njeri, Oxford

New wedding ideas in Kenya

Goats were in trouble, they were roasted with their heads intact. "Nikio ndagire gathubu". Then the chefs brought the poor goat with a band on tow, this was very creative. - Photo by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi

Changes to the child visitor rules

Home Office, 23 December 2009

On the 10 December 2009 we published a news story about the Statement of Changes to Immigration Rules, which said that from 1 January 2010, students from non-EEA countries may apply to enter the United Kingdom for up to six months for an exchange or educational visit to a state-maintained school, a non-maintained special school, an independent fee-paying school or an independent non fee-paying school in the UK. They will not require entry clearance, unless they are nationals of countries who require a visa to enter the UK.

This provision replaces and supersedes the temporary concession which permitted such visits up to 31 December 2009. Any leave to enter or remain in the UK granted on the basis of the concession on or before 31 December 2009 will remain in force provided you remain in the UK.

If you are applying for entry clearance (or, in the case of non-visa nationals, leave to enter) at a port in the United Kingdom under this new provision, you must satisfy the entry clearance or immigration officer that:

• you are under the age of 18;
• you intend to leave the United Kingdom on completion of the exchange or educational visit, which must not be for more than six months;
• a school as described in paragraph 46A (viii) of the Immigration Rules has approved the exchange scheme or educational visit - you should produce, for example, a letter from the school or the organisation arranging the exchange;
• suitable travel, reception and care arrangements are in place for your stay here, and there are sufficient funds for your support;
• care arrangements that are in place for you comply with relevant United Kingdom care requirements;
• if you are under the age of 16 (or under 18 if you are disabled) and will be cared for on a full time basis by adults, who are not your parents or a close relative, for more than 28 days, the arrangement meets the requirements described in paragraph 46A (iv) of the Immigration Rules;
• you have a parent or guardian in your home country who is responsible for your care and who confirms that they consent to the visit and to any foster care arrangement- you should provide, for example, a letter from them confirming this;
• you are not intending to study at an educational institution that holds a Tier 4 sponsor licence, accreditation from an accreditation body approved by the UK Border Agency or is inspected by a public review body ( see "can I come to the UK as a child visitor?") for information about public review bodies .

Information on how to apply for a visa (as a child visitor) can be found on the ukvisas website.

Further information on the requirements for entry as an exchange or educational visitor under paragraph 46A (viii) of the Immigration Rules, will be available on this website on the 31 December 2009.

The changes to paragraphs 46A (iv) - foster care arrangements - and 46A (vii) - inspection by a public review body - apply in relation to all child visitors.

"When you see a rat running into the fire, you know that what it's running away from is hotter than the fire." - The Wisdom of Africa, Kenya
 

Mrs. Kamara (left) joined the Seeds at the Saraha Communities Abroad Christmas Party held on Tuesday 22nd Dec. 2009 in London and on right is Pastor Joseph Odima and his wife posing with Redbridge Mayor Councillor Thomas Shan and his wife.

Universities' annual funding reduced by £398m

The government is to cut university funding in England by a total of £398m for 2010-11 compared with this year, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said. In a letter to the Higher Education Funding Council For England (Hefce), he also asks universities to protect quality and access to higher education. His letter confirms efficiency savings of £180m and £83m - and makes a further £135m budget reduction. The Tories said they would make another 10,000 university places available. The government also wants to see more degrees completed over two years rather than three as a way of easing the funding crisis and to broaden education to a wider range of students. These Foundation and Fast-track degrees tend to appeal to those pursuing more vocational qualifications. The new reduced allocations are £84m taken from the capital funding budget, for buildings and equipment, and £51m from teaching.

Two killed as storm hits Nairobi

Two people were killed in freak accidents as heavy rains pounded Nairobi and parts of the country. The men died instantly after a tree fell on a car at Muthurwa, near Machakos bus station, in Nairobi. Trees brought down by the storm crushed about 20 vehicles. They included three Double M buses, three City Hoppas, and some lorries and saloon cars caught in traffic along the road. There was panic as several passengers were trapped in the crushed vehicles. The body of one middle-aged man was trapped in the wreckage of his car. It took the intervention of the City Council Fire Brigade department to cut the trees to get traffic moving again. Officers had a hard time clearing the trees as curious wananchi jammed the venue. The afternoon rainstorm caught city residents unprepared after several days of scorching heat. Darkness engulfed the city as power shortages were experienced in many buildings. Motorists in the city were stuck on the road for hours as major traffic jams formed. On Lusaka Road, near the Nyayo Stadium roundabout, falling trees extensively damaged four cars. The passengers in these vehicles escaped unhurt. A billboard advertising Christmas offers was blown down and lay across the railway line near the stadium. Several other billboards and trees were damaged in the heavy downpour. - The Standard.

Fast-track degrees are accelerated honours courses, announced in 2003, which have been tried in eight English universities. Staffordshire, for example, has some 200 students - out of a total of 17,000 - taking two-year courses in accounting and finance, business management, English, geography and law.

Students do the same amount of work as on a three-year degree but use the summer vacation as extra terms.

Courses suit people such as mature students whose priority is obtaining a vocational qualification rather than having the full-blown undergraduate experience involving being away from home for the first time.

They save on fees and living expenses, though with less opportunity for paid work.

The government saves on the financial support students get in grants and loans (loans are repaid but over many years, and have to be funded in advance).

But they cause universities financial problems. They have had to provide a three-year syllabus in return for two years' tuition fees and two-and-a-half years' equivalent in Hefce funding.

There were organisational and infrastructure implications - such as extending the opening hours of student support and accommodation, library and information services.

Some academics who were resistant could be side-stepped in a pilot programme but their attitudes would have to be changed if it were to be expanded.

A man dressed as a tiger sweeps the streets clean in Kiev in Ukraine in a bid to keep himself warm and on right a Palestinian girl arranges the manger at the Christmas grotto at the Catholic church in the West Bank village of Zababdah, near Jenin.

UK Universities face a move towards two-year degree courses as the Government dramatically reduces higher education spending. The announcement of the cuts, which will see £518m lopped off university funding next year, provoked an outcry from vice-chancellors, students, lecturers and opposition MPs last night. Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, which represents lecturers, said: "We will see teachers on the dole, students in larger classes and a higher education sector unable to contribute as much to the economy and society."  Key elements of the plan, outlined by the Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, include a shift away from the traditional three-year degree to two-year courses.  In addition, universities that recruited more students in the autumn than ministers had budgeted for will face fines of £3,700 per extra head.  One estimate indicated that 22,000 additional students were taken on as demand for places reached an all-time high because of the recession. Universities were allowed to recruit 10,000 extra undergraduates because of the increased demand. Even so, about 130,000 students eligible for a clearing place failed to find one in the summer.  Lord Mandelson made it plain there would be no repeat next year and reduced the funding for higher education from the £7.8bn grant for 2009-10 to just under £7.3bn for 2010-11.  This, coupled with the fines, lowers the Government's chances of meeting its oft-stated aim of recruiting 50 per cent of young people into higher education courses, though ministers will hope that introducing more two-year courses might be enough to achieve it.

Vice-chancellors will now put more pressure on the government review into top-up fees to increase the current cap of £3,240. They have already indicated that they would like to see it doubled to more than £6,500. The review is due to report next year, after the election.  Research funding – which helps the more selective universities like Oxford and Cambridge retain world-class research contracts – is to be maintained.  In a letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England, which is responsible for allocating university cash, Lord Mandelson said he wanted more programmes "such as foundation and fast-track degrees that can be completed full-time in two years". He added: "Over the next spending review period [to 2014], we will want some shift away from full-time, three-year places towards a wider variety of provision."  Professor Les Ebdon, chairman of the university think-tank million+ and vice-chancellor of Bedfordshire University, said the shift towards two-year degrees was "tinkering with the edges".  "Two-year degrees work for some students, who do not have to fund themselves with part-time jobs," he said. "They will only be offered by a limited number of universities for a small number of courses."  Examples of two-year degree courses already running include one for higher level teaching assistants at Stroud College in Gloucestershire and a fast-track nursing degree at King's College London for those with a degree already.  In his letter, Lord Mandelson went on to warn that any further over-recruitment next autumn could again provoke fines. The £3,700 is equivalent to the average cost of providing one student with teaching and access to facilities for one year.

The Conservatives immediately attacked the Government for fining universities that were trying to meet its own target of getting 50 per cent of young people into higher education. Even with the increase in student numbers allowed by the Government this autumn, the overall participation rate remains at around 43 per cent when, ironically, because of the demand created by the lack of employment prospects, ministers had a realistic chance of nearing the 50 per cent target for the first time this year.  "We now have the bizarre situation that universities are being fined for meeting targets set by this Government," said David Willetts, the Conservatives' universities spokesman.  Lord Mandelson's letter described the extra 10,000 places this year as a "one-off". However, Mr Willetts said: "In contrast to Lord Mandelson, who is restricting access to university... we will be offering an additional 10,000 extra fully funded university places to enable more young people to enter university next year."  Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students, said the cuts "will sound chimes of doom for existing students in cuts-hit universities and for talented school leavers set to fail to secure a university place".  Professor Steve Smith, vice-chancellor of Exeter University and president of Universities UK, which represents all UK vice-chancellors, said: "A reduction in the public funding per student could seriously threaten our ability to offer the high-quality experience our students deserve and expect." Wendy Piatt, director general of the Russell Group of universities, which represents 20 of the leading research institutions in the UK, welcomed the commitment to retain research funding, but added: "With other countries investing more, not less, in their leading universities, we are in danger of losing our international competitive edge."

Merry Christmas with mayors

Sahara Community Abroad (SACOMA) hosted a Christmas Party for staff and partners on Tuesday 22nd December, 2009 at an exclusive restaurant in Ilford, Essex. The guest was honour was the mayor of Redbridge Councillor Thomas Chan and his wife. Among the guests were the former mayor of Nyeri town Dr. Charles Kamara and his wife posing with the mayor on left. The party was hosted by Mr. Sam Ochieng and his wife Perez Ochieng (posing with the mayor on right photo). Dr. Charles Kamara has launched a project in Nyeri, Thuguma Museum & Culture Foundation. You can get hold of him in UK through 07961815110. More photos and stories of the party coming soon.

Marriage is becoming preserve of middle-classes, Tories claim

Marriage in Britain is in danger of becoming an exclusive middle-class institution unless action is taken to bolster it, David Willetts, the shadow cabinet member responsible for the family, says today. Speaking to the Guardian, Willetts said it would be "extremely dangerous if marriage became something only for the affluent elite" and that the rate of family break-ups was a disaster for children. The Conservatives are due to publish their ideas on the family in a discussion paper arguing the state and the voluntary sector can do more to help fathers in relationships, especially at the birth of the first child, frequently a point where couples drift apart and separate. The party will also back recognition of marriage in the tax system, as well as providing relationship advice at civil marriage ceremonies. The green paper will propose changes in the law to make it easier for grandparents and fathers to stay in contact with children when marriages break up. Willetts insisted there was measurable evidence to show that married couples with children, as opposed to cohabiting couples, stayed together longer to the benefit of children.

"The aspiration of marriage is becoming harder to achieve. Instead of it becoming just what you do in your 20s, it has become like scaling Mount Everest, a sort of great moral endeavour – and something that requires a lot of time and money. We think we need to ease some of the pressures," he said. "There is quite a lot of evidence coming from America about how we are in danger of heading towards a society where middle-class people get married and people on low and erratic incomes don't get married, and that in turn leads to a divergence of a whole host of other outcomes. "In my view it would be extremely dangerous if marriage became something only for the affluent elite and that is what will happen, unless we try to get some kind of policy that restores it as a more widespread institution as we had in the past." Research from Essex University shows that less educated women born after 1960 have a divorce rate 30% higher than that of the better educated. They are also more likely to have a child outside a live-in partnership. The figures and trends are even more pronounced in the US. One explanation for the middle-class bias towards marriage in the US, Willetts said, was the fact that there were fewer eligible working-class males, owing to deskilling of societies. He insisted that the Tories were not returning to a back-to-basics preaching agenda, and recognised that some marriages will fail.

SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON WEDNESDAY 23RD DECEMBER, 2009

LEFT: University students could take their degrees in two years under proposals outlined by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson to reduce higher education spending, reports The Independent. CENTRE:  The front page story for the Daily Express reports that foreign criminals who agree to be deported to their home country once they have finished their jail sentences are to get cash grants of up to £500. RIGHT: Marriage is in danger of becoming an exclusively middle-class institution unless action is taken to bolster it, shadow cabinet member for the family David Willetts tells The Guardian.

Two killed, 47 hurt in coach crash

Two women died and another 47 people were injured after a coach overturned in treacherous icy conditions during what was one of the coldest nights of the year. The vehicle, which was carrying 48 passengers and a driver back from a trip to see a Christmas lights attraction, left the road and ended up on its side on Tuesday night near Penzance in Cornwall, Devon and Cornwall Police said. It came as the wintry weather continued for another day, with temperatures plunging as low as -10C in southern England and prompting widespread icy road warnings and more travel disruption. Devon and Cornwall Police said road surfaces were "treacherous" in the area of the crash - which was near the town of Hayle - and have not ruled out the conditions as being a contributory factor. A rescue helicopter was called in from RAF Chivenor in Devon to help ferry the wounded people to hospital in Truro. One of two victims - who were both from the west Cornwall area - was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other died in hospital. Temperatures were said to have been -1C or lower in Cornwall, but far colder in other parts of the country already suffering amid the freezing weather. Middle Wallop in Hampshire - one of the worst-hit counties by this week's snowstorms - was one of England's coldest spots overnight at around -10C. Temperatures in parts of London fell to -6C, with Glasgow as low as -9C, Cardiff -2C and the same temperature in Manchester. Dalwhinnie in the central highlands looked to be one of the coldest spots this year, at -16C - just short of the -18C recorded at Aviemore in February. As many as 12 million people are expected to travel to family and friends on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the AA, making it one of the busiest periods of the year. The Met Office has issued several warnings of "widespread icy roads" for most of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

From childhold to Adulthood

A Maasai young people being admitted into adulthold ceremony

Recession Takes Its Toll: 27,000 Firms Bust

The recession has claimed almost 27,000 businesses since last year, according to the Conservative Party.  The Tories have criticised Labour for not doing enough to help businesses after they obtained the figures of how many have gone bust from the  The service found that 17,500 more companies have gone bankrupt in this current economic crisis than in the recession in the 1980s, and 3,000 more than the one in the 1990s. Shadow business minister John Penrose said: "Despite Alistair Darling's attempt to cover up the truth, this confirms what many people know already - far from abolishing boom and bust, Gordon Brown has handed this country its worst recession ever. "If only Gordon Brown had acted promptly and effectively to get credit flowing again, rather than fiddling with dozens of small, complex schemes, Britain might be pulling out of recession like everyone else." The economy shrank by 0.2% from July to September of this year. But Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liam Byrne defended Labour's policies and said: "The Government has taken decisive action to support the economy, action praised by the IMF as bold and wide ranging, including helping 160,000 businesses defer £4bn in tax payments. He added: "This is in stark contrast to the Tories who would have stood by and let the recession do its worst. "Even now, the Tories would cut back support for the economy, putting jobs, homes and businesses at risk."

On Tuesday 22nd Dec.  revised GDP figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that the UK is still in recession.

London, Tuesday 22nd December, 2009. The UK economy shrank by 0.2% between July and September, figures show, an upward revision to the previous estimate of a 0.3% contraction. It means that officially the recession has not yet ended. Analysts believe that fourth quarter figures will show the economy returning to growth. The news disappointed those who had expected a contraction of 0.1%. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said the latest figures raised concerns about the strength of the recovery. BCC chief economist David Kern said: "While most analysts expect a return to positive growth in the next few months it is important to stress that recovery is not yet guaranteed." The UK recession began in the April-to- June quarter of 2008. Since then the economy has contracted by 6%. "We still find it hard to believe fully that the economy was contracting in the third quarter" said Investec's Philip Shaw. The first GDP estimate for the third quarter had shown a contraction of 0.4%, but this has been revised twice, first to a 0.3% contraction and now to -0.2%. However, the fact the economy had shrunk during the third quarter of 2009 took many analysts by surprise when the initial figures were released.

Many had expected the UK economy to return to growth during that period, and some still believe that they may yet be proven right. "We are expecting this number to be revised upwards and this will eventually be seen as a growth quarter", said Amit Kara from UBS. "The big picture is that the economy is recovering... we see growth at 1.8% next year." The Office for National Statistics said the upward revision to the third-quarter figures was down to an improvement in construction output. That was boosted by strong growth in public sector projects, while the decline in house building slowed. However, services and industrial production were weaker. BBC economics editor Stephanie Flanders said: "There is at least one piece of encouraging news in today's release: the household savings ratio in the third quarter rose to 8.7% of income, compared to 7.6% in the previous three months." She said it was important for savings in the economy to go up to put the recovery on a more sustainable footing. The household savings ratio is the percentage of disposable income that is saved. Analysts say the high level of household debt in the UK must come down in order to make the economy more balanced. However, while overspending was one of the factors contributing to the credit crunch, it is important for the recovery that consumers do not cut back their spending too sharply.

Bad weather disrupts UK travel ahead of Christmas

Snow and ice continue to cause travel chaos across the UK, disrupting the Christmas holiday plans for thousands.  Flights from many airports including Luton, Gatwick, Heathrow, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports are still disrupted.  Eurostar resumed a limited service on Tuesday, after being closed for three days due to extreme weather in France.  Police said heavy snow was causing "mayhem" on the roads in Aberdeen. Falling ice has also affected both Severn bridges, causing tailbacks.  BBC weather forecaster Laura Tobin said there would be more heavy snow in north-east and south-west Scotland, eventually moving into Cumbria by Tuesday evening.

METHALI YA KISWAHILI

Kunguru mwoga hukimbiza mbawa zake.

The timid crow withdraws his wings from harm.

Young and old joins the Christmas journey in Kenya

Poor boy had to help the family to join others for a journey home and we wish him a merry xmas despite the hardships - Photo by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi

Efforts to lift the containers of the goods train that derailed in Kibera

Efforts to lift the containers of the goods train that derailed in Kibera's Mashimoni area are still going on. Authorities believe that there could be several bodies trapped beneath. The train which was destined for Kampala veered off the tracks and four of its wagons rolled over several stalls. Attempts to mount a crane to lift the wagons were on Monday hampered by inaccessibility of the area as the railway line had been damaged. Initial police reports indicate that 2 people died in the crash while three others are admitted at the Kenyatta National Hospital. The death toll is expected to rise once the containers are successfully lifted. Commuter train services to Kibera, Dagoretti and Kikuyu have been suspended as a result of the accident.

Recovery attempts to lift the containers, believed to have trapped several bodies beneath it following Monday’s train crush in Kibera’s Mashimoni area are still ongoing. The train accident occurred at 11am.

Bank charges challenge is dropped by regulator

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has decided to drop its investigation into the fairness of bank overdraft charges. It follows last month's Supreme Court ruling that the OFT could not use part of the unfair contract regulations to decide if bank charges were unfair. However, the OFT said it still had "significant concerns" about the way banks operate current accounts. More than a million refund claims that have been on hold since July 2007 are likely to be rejected. The regulator said "fundamental change" was still needed in the interests of customers. "The OFT has concluded that any investigation it were to continue into the fairness of current unarranged overdraft charging terms under the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contract Regulations (UTCCRs) would have a very limited scope and low prospects of success," the OFT said. "Given this, it has decided against taking forward such an investigation."

Kenyan leaders clash over Mau compensation

Nairobi, Kenya, Dec 22 – A fresh row is looming in the Cabinet with Prime Minister Raila Odinga accusing his Deputy Uhuru Kenyatta of political mischief, hours after he and Forestry Minister Noah Wekesa denied knowledge of a Sh2 billion compensation plans for Mau landowners. In a strongly worded statement, the Prime Minister said on Tuesday that the plan to compensate all title holders of the Mau was passed by Parliament following an amendment to the Bill adopting the Report of the Government’s Task Force on the Conservation of the Mau Forest, which was tabled in the House. The Premier said it was regrettable that Mr Kenyatta and Mr Wekesa were now denying knowledge of the said plans. He explained that the Task Force Report in its original form had contained no provision for compensation but an amendment introduced by Turkana Central MP Ekwe Ethuro made it mandatory that conservation of the Mau Forest be effected in line with the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. - CapitalFM

Kenyan butcher slaughters his wife

Nyandarua, Kenya, Dec 22 – A butcher in Nyandarua North cut open his wife and chopped her up on the same surface he would use to prepare meat for customers, after a brief argument in his Wa Githinji Butchery. The man allegedly stabbed his estranged wife severally in the stomach after a heated argument in his shop on Monday, as shocked residents looked on. Nyandarua Deputy Police boss Robinson Wambua Mboloi said the woman had paid James Kamau Githinji, 37, a visit at his butchery when the incident occurred. “They began to quarrel; the man picked a butcher’s knife and stabbed his wife in the stomach who fell on the chopping board as her stomach spilled out. He then picked a heavy machete used for breaking bones and hacked the wife severally the head,” Mr Mboloi narrated. The wife, 35, whose name could not be released by police since her next of kin had not been notified screamed once loudly, but when traders ran to her rescue they were threatened by the machete-wielding assailant and hence kept off. Mr Githinji then allegedly removed his dust coat and marched himself to Karai Police Station about 100 metres away. Mr Mboloi said the suspect would be arraigned in court once investigations were complete. Residents of Gwa-Kung’u trading centre were grief stricken by the horrific act at the popular meat point, their appetites probably ruined even as Christmas festivities begin. A source close to the family said that the young couple argued constantly over claims of infidelity. The source said that the wife had run away with their baby boy, leaving the man to take care of another older daughter.  Residents who knew Mr Githinji described him as ‘a cool and hard working man.’ The body of the deceased was taken to Nyahururu District Hospital Mortuary. - CapitalFM

London, Wednesday 22nd December, 2009. The travel chaos in UK caused by icy weather looks set to continue with further disruption to roads, rail services and flights.  Anger has already been sparked by widespread delays including problems with air travel as Gatwick Airport's runway was shut and Luton suspended flights. British Airways cancelled all European and UK domestic flights leaving Heathrow after 7pm on Monday, and said services from London City and Gatwick were "significantly disrupted". For the third day running there were no Channel Tunnel high-speed Eurostar trains operating, but the company will resume a restricted service on Tuesday.  Budget airline easyJet warned customers that further snow could result in continued flight disruptions. And the Southeastern train company said that the bad weather meant it would be operating limited services. Rail passengers in Surrey, Hampshire, Kent, Wales and Lancashire had already been hit, being forced to use replacement bus services because of the weather. Warnings for "widespread icy roads" have been issued by the Met Office for most of England.

Holy cow - calf born with 'divine sign' on head

A calf with a cross-shaped sign has been born in rural Connecticut - and, naturally, is being hailed as a sign from above. The calf was born last week at a dairy farm in Sterling, a small rustic town on the Connecticut/Rhode Island border. Owner Brad Davis told local television station WFSB-TV that he thinks the marking may be a message from above. He did admit, however, that he's still trying to figure out what that message might be. The mostly brown calf is half Jersey, half Holstein. Neighborhood children have named it Moses. Ric Grummer, the chairman of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Dairy Science, told the Norwich Bulletin newspaper that it's not unusual for a Holstein cow to have a white marking on its head -  although says that the cross shape is unique.

Snow causes rush hour traffic problems in Wandsworth, London. and on right a Farmer David Bennie leads his highland cow Mary to an indoor area at Greensburn Farm near Denny, Central Scotland as snow continues to fall over Central Scotland.

Cold weather causes travel disruption across the UK

Winter weather is continuing to cause disruption across the UK with road, rail and air travel all affected.  Channel Tunnel services remain badly affected after Eurotunnel closed its car shuttle service to new passengers. British Airways cancelled all European and UK domestic flights leaving Heathrow after 1900 GMT. Many roads in the Home Counties are gridlocked and the AA said London and the South East were hotspots for vehicle breakdowns. Luton airport is closed until 0030 GMT and London City airport is shut. Stansted airport is open but flights may be subject to delays or cancellations. Easyjet said it had operated over 80% of its flights, "albeit with some delays", over the last five days despite the weather, but added that further snow on Monday night could result in continued flight disruptions. A Met Office severe weather warning is in place for ice in many parts of the UK, where snow freezing on the ground is causing treacherous conditions. Temperatures are expected to fall to 1C (34F) in central London overnight, -4C (25F) in Newcastle, -3C (27F) in Glasgow, -4C in Manchester and -1C (30F) in Cardiff. In Wales, 180 schools and nurseries had to close, while the M4 was shut after a crashFurther heavy snow fell has fallen in many parts of the UK, including north-west Scotland, the north of England, north Somerset and south Wales. Many southern counties of England were hit by snow on Monday afternoon. The weather had its greatest impact on Channel Tunnel services, where Eurostar cancelled trains to mainland Europe for the third day, while Eurotunnel closed its shuttle car service to new arrivals after its Folkestone terminal reached "saturation point". Eurostar said it hoped to resume a limited service on Tuesday.

Airport problems

Passengers at Heathrow's Terminal 5 have reported large queues as people attempt to make alternative arrangements following BA's decision to stop its evening flights. People are said to have been offered coach trips to places such as Newcastle to replace their cancelled flights. At Manchester Airport, where flights were suspended overnight, the backlog of flights had been cleared by Monday afternoon. Passengers at Bristol and Southampton airports have also experienced delays. Bad weather in North America and Europe delayed flights arriving at Heathrow and Gatwick airports for up to six hours. A spokesman for Gatwick said the runway had re-opened at 1954 GMT - having closed at 1519 GMT - and that staff were now working to get through the backlog of flights but the most affected airline, Easyjet, had cancelled a number of services. Passengers travelling from Gatwick are advised to allow extra time for their journey to the airport and contact their airline for the latest flight information. Passengers intending to use Luton airport are advised to contact their airline for more information. Aberdeen and Inverness airports reopened after being closed on Monday morning, but delays and cancellations continued at both airports, and at Glasgow airport.

Treacherous roads

Domestic rail services across the UK were delayed and buses replaced trains in many areas. Southeastern trains said it would be operating a Saturday timetable service on mainline, metro and high-speed routes on Tuesday, with a normal weekday service for Thameslink trains run via Blackfriars. The company said there would be additional high-speed services through the day and a shuttle service between London Bridge and Cannon Street during the morning and evening peak times. At the height of the morning rush hour, six vehicles collided on the M4 in Wales at junction 48 near Llanelli. In Pembrokeshire, one man was taken to hospital after being trapped in his van after it overturned near Haverfordwest. Roads in the north west of Northern Ireland were particularly treacherous, the Roads Service said. Black ice affected Londonderry roads, including the Foyle bridge. The RAC said by 1330 GMT it had attended more than 7,000 breakdowns, 32% more than on a typical cold Monday morning. It said the worst affected areas were East Anglia, Yorkshire, north-east England and the West Midlands.

Roads record

The AA said it had extra patrols out on duty and was bringing in extra Land Rovers to rescue people in inaccessible areas. It also said that Monday had been its busiest day on the roads in 10 years, after it had attended more than 20,000 breakdowns by 2030 GMT, with call-outs coming in at a rate of 1,200 every hour. Normally it would expect to deal with about 10,000 vehicles for the whole of a Monday in December. AA president Edmund King said: "Many minor roads are treacherous - they're like ice rinks - with numerous shunts and cars stuck in ditches." Thames Valley police have issued guidance for people in their area because of a "hell of a lot of snow" which continues to fall. They suggest people stay with their vehicles and keep warm but said if anyone did leave their vehicle, they should park safely and put a note on the windscreen with contact details.

Missing man

People have reported major traffic problems in the High Wycombe area of Buckinghamshire, with some vehicles being abandoned. There are also problems with congestion and abandoned vehicles in Aylesbury, in Bucks, and Reading, Berkshire. In Essex, fears were growing for a young man who went missing in the freezing weather. Adam Passfield, 22, was last seen at 0230 GMT on Saturday in Chelmsford, Essex, after an evening out with members of Heybridge Swifts Football Club. Meanwhile, the government said it would be making cold winter payments because temperatures had been low enough for vulnerable people to qualify. The Department of Work and Pensions said it spent £30m last week to help mainly elderly people keep warm. Minister Helen Goodman said: "The payments are automatic so everyone entitled will get them and should not worry about turning up their heating."

MR. SEED MONEY TRANSFER TECHNICAL PROBLEM

Mr. Seed Money Transfer has a major technical problem in Nairobi and

we have suspended our Money Transfer system until it is rectified.

Everyone for himself but God for us all

It was Christmas Party with a difference. Starting with a three-course dinner and crowning it with a dance till morning. It was everyone for himself but God for us all at the Swahili Church Branch at their Christmas Party celebrations in an exclusive London hotel on Sunday night 20th December, 2009. Some came ready to two away their body at the dance floor. Full story and all photos coming up today.

SOLICITOR/LEGAL EXECUTIVE/ PARALEGAL/ REQUIRED

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Eight illegal Israeli workers removed from the UK

Home Office, 21 December 2009

Eight Israeli illegal workers have been removed from the UK after they were caught selling hair and beauty products to Christmas shoppers at Cribbs Causeway. We will not turn a blind eye to foreign nationals working in the UK without permission. Jane Farleigh, Wales and the South West Regional Director, UK Border Agency. Acting on intelligence, officers from the UK Border Agency went to two stalls in The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, simultaneously at 1130 on Tuesday, 15 December. At a stall selling Dead Sea beauty products, a woman and three men were arrested for suspected immigration offences while a further four Israeli nationals - three women and a man - were arrested at the Amica hair styling stall. The eight, all aged in their 20s, were taken to Trinity Road, Southmead and Staple Hill police stations for further interviews to be carried out. It was later confirmed that all eight were in the UK on visitor visas which did not give them the right to work. They were kept in detention before being removed to Israel on Wednesday. The Mall co-operated fully withthe UK Border Agency's investigations and will not face any penalty. Jane Farleigh, UK Border Agency Regional Director for Wales and the South West, said:

'We will not turn a blind eye to foreign nationals working in the UK without permission. 'Illegal working undercuts honest employers and takes jobs from those genuinely entitled to work. 'If people want to work in the UK there are ways they can come here legitimately, such as applying through our points-based system for migration.'

The operation was part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal working and coincides with a large-scale UK Border Agency advertising campaign warning employers of the sanctions they face if they employ illegal foreign labour. The Agency's team based in Portishead carries out an average of 45 operations per month and has removed more than 250 immigration offenders from the UK since April thisyear. The Government is currently making a series of reforms to the UK's immigration system. Identity cards for foreign nationals are being introduced which will help protect against identity fraud and illegal working. The Australian-style points based system for managing migration is ensuring only those with the skills the UK needs are allowed to work. A tough new civil penalty system was brought in last year to provide a fast and effective way of tackling employers who fail to carry out proper checks on workers from outside Europe. A fine of up to £10,000 per worker can be imposed for every illegal worker found at a business.

US Officer 'draws gun' on snowball fight crowd

Police in the US are investigating a detective who appears to draw his gun during a mass snowball fight on the streets of Washington DC. The video appears to show the detective holding a gun in his left hand as he begins to approach a large group of people, which hadgathered for the snowball fight. People in the crowd can be heard saying "he has a gun". Police say they are looking into reports that the plain-clothed police officer stepped out of his own vehicle and drew his weapon after his car had been hit by snowballs. The video was provided by Reason.TV, a libertarian organisation in the United States.

Study shows young women would rather get Aids than fall pregnant

More teenagers are growing up without sex education since schools, parents and religious organisation find the subject a taboo. Left on their own, the young adults rely on information gathered at such discotheques from friends. When it comes to choosing emergency contraception, young Kenyan women trust their schoolmates. They also trust the chemist, the Internet and their boyfriends. One word explains why a 25-year-old woman we’ll call Jane lowers her face in shame when explaining why she had unprotected sex with a man she had known for only a month. “I trusted him,” Jane says, averting her eyes and squirming uncomfortably in her seat. The next morning, the enormity of her decision sank in — what if she got pregnant? She was still in college and definitely not equipped to raise a child. Her new boyfriend came up with the solution — “Just swallow the ‘morning-after pill’ and you will have nothing to worry about,” he advised, even offering to dash to the chemist for her. For Jane, the suggestion to use emergency contraception proved a “magic bullet” of sorts. - Daily Nation.

SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON TUESDAY 22ND DECEMBER, 2009

LEFT: Millions of families are facing some of the worst driving conditions in years as a "perfect storm" of snow, ice and heavy traffic hits the Christmas getaway over the next 48 hours, says The Times. CENTRE: The Telegraph says heavy snow brought parts of Britain to a standstill as forecasters gave warning of further travel misery with up to four more inches to come. RIGHT: The Mail tells how chaos gripped the transport network after some of the heaviest pre-Christmas snowfalls in a decade.

Procuring Corpses: The English Anatomy Inspectorate, 1842 to 1858

In September 1873, England's newspapers carried stories headlined ‘Horrible Discovery in the Thames’. Parts of a woman's body had been found in the river over the course of several days and it was proving impossible to identify her. One of London's medical schools was rumoured to be the source of these mutilated remains. However, the Daily News reminded its readers that a law required the registration of bodies that were sent to a medical school to be dissected, and expressed the view that the metropolitan anatomy inspector was no doubt checking his register. - MORE

Obama hails victory in Senate healthcare vote

• Late-night Senate vote to halt Republican filibustering virtually ensures passage of healthcare bill

Senators trudged through Washington's most severe snowstorm for decades to vote early today on a motion that virtually ensures passage of President Barack Obama's healthcare bill. Democratic senators voted in the dead of night by 60-40 to end Republican blocking tactics. The way is now open for a vote on the $871bn (£540bn) bill on Christmas Eve. The bill will extend healthcare to 30 million Americans who at present have no cover, bringing the country close to universal healthcare provision. Obama described it as a "big victory for the American people". "After a nearly century-long struggle we are on the cusp of making healthcare reform a reality in the United States of America," he said. The senators would normally have been on holiday – the House has already closed for Christmas and the New Year – but the Democrats opted to push on so the debate would not spill into next year. After hours of debate, they voted at 1am to end a Republican filibuster.

The Republicans are vowing to fight to the end, which would see a further series of votes that could take until 7pm on Christmas Eve. Assuming the Senate passes the bill then, the last remaining obstacle will be reconciling the House and Senate versions of the bill, with a final vote in January. The House version is more liberal and includes a government-run insurance scheme, which the senators have rejected. Although the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, has said she will not back off on the government-run option, the House Democrats are likely to drop it in order to get a bill that the Senate will accept. Triumphant Democratic senators described the bill as fulfilling the dream of the late Ted Kennedy, who had long championed universal healthcare. His widow, Victoria, watched the vote from the visitors' gallery.

The Democratic leader in the Senate, Harry Reid, secured the 60 necessary votes after doing deals with a conservative Democrat, Ben Nelson, who objected to abortion measures in the bill, and Joe Lieberman, the former Democrat turned independent, who objected to the government-run option and a plan to expand the existing Medicare programme. Lieberman warned the House against trying to make any significant changes to the Senate version of the bill. "It took a lot of work to bring this 60 together and this 60 is delicately balanced," he said. The Republican Senate leader, Mitch McConnell, said. "The impact of this vote will long outlive this one frantic, snowy weekend in Washington. This legislation will reshape our nation, and Americans have already issued their verdict – they don't want it." Obama had courted liberal Republicans, principally Olympia Snowe, but in the end she voted with other Republicans against closure of the filibuster. She said she could not vote for it, because she felt the process was being rushed.

Nairobi, Monday 21st December, 2009. At least four people are confirmed dead after a cargo trained derailed in the sprawling Kibera slums and fell on houses.  Several people are believed trapped in the debris.  The train headed for Kampala Uganda was loaded with cooking oil when it came of the rails and crashed onto buildings.  The cause of the derailment was not immediately known. Officials from the St. John's Ambulance rushed to the scene and began evacuating the injured.  Police however had a hectic time trying to control the surging crowd that had begun looting the cooking oil from the containers.

Have sent your family a Christmas gifts?

Joseph Kirinkai, a business man, carries one of his goats on sale shortly after he arrived at the Kiserian Market in Kajiado North on 17th December 2009. The price has now gone up ahead of Christmas festivals.

Travel nightmare continues as snowfall brings getaway chaos

Fresh snow and freezing temperatures brought travel chaos to much of Britain

Monday 21st December, 2009. Thousands of people using the high-speed service between London, Paris and Brussels have had their travel plans disrupted after the trains ground to a halt during the severe weather. The big freeze has also disrupted flights from some airports and people travelling to and from the US have faced further delays because of heavy snow there. Eurostar said last night that engineers had identified the problem, which left more than 2,000 passengers trapped in the Channel Tunnel overnight on Friday. Modifications to its trains were being tested today before any passenger services can resume. Shields fitted to the trains to stop snow getting into the electrics had failed and needed to be improved, the company said. Today, the board of Eurostar announced it had commissioned an independent review into the problems. Nick Mercer, commercial director of Eurostar, said there were rumours that something had been done to the trains which failed but that this was "absolutely not" the case.

Kenya Govt denies payout plan for Mau settlers

There are no plans yet to compensate settlers of Mau Forest, the government announced on Monday 21st December, 2009. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Uhuru Kenyatta who is also the minister for Finance, the only plans they have agreed on is to resettle those who were evicted recently from the forest. “The government is trying to find alternative land for these people,” Mr Kenyatta told a press conference at his Treasury office. Already, the Mau evictees who were flushed out of the forest last month are living in transits camps awaiting to be resettled. They were thrown out of the forest following recommendations by a task force appointed by Prime Minister Raila Odinga. However, Mr Odinga said recently that more evictions would follow from January to clear all human settlement from the forest complex, which is the biggest water tower in the country. The government wants to rehabilitate the forest by planting trees to restore its degraded ecosystem. Those evicted, the Premier had said, are only the small fish adding that those who will follow are the big names. However, a story appearing in our sister publication, the Sunday Nation had alleged that Sh2 billion has been set aside to compensate political heavyweights who were allocated thousands of hectares of the forestland. The big shots were the main beneficiaries of the excision of the complex and they have title deeds proving ownership. – Daily Nation.

Lemon: Benefits &Uses

Removing Stains From Tiles

After sometime, tiles on the wall would accumulate unpleasant dirt. Rub some salt (into the wound) and lemon skin onto the dirt and the dirt would be gone. This same method can be used for the above one.

83% of Kenyans support forest reclamation

A majority of Kenyans are in support of the government's efforts in evicting people from forests.  An opinion poll released Monday by Strategic PR touching on environmental degradation and eviction of illegal settlers from forests indicates an overwhelming 83% of Kenyans feel forests should be conserved. Among its findings 46.6% of the respondents interviewed say MP's claiming the evictions are been carried out inhumanely are doing so to gain political mileage. 22.8% are also expressing disappointment with the government for allowing too much politics to be drown into the environmental debate, with 65% saying the Mau issue poses a challenge to the realization of the reform agenda. At the same time on matters constitution, 16.6% of Kenyans want issues surrounding devolution of power be looked into keenly, followed by the question of land reform. The countrywide poll done in all the eight provinces between the 12th and 16th of December, interviewed 3000 people. Meanwhile, the 2nd phase of the Mau evictions slotted for January next year continues to draw mixed reactions.  Industrialization minister Henry Kosgey is now defending the extensive Kiptagich tea factory owned by former president Daniel Arap Moi saying that it is environmentally friendly and should not be demolished.

Kosgey suggests that the factory should be fenced and trees planted within the factory and along the riverbanks saying that it provides employment to majority of residents in the area. Elsewhere, the government has not decided to compensate the controversial Mau settlers, Forestry and Wildlife Minister Noah Wekesa has said. Wekesa dismissed reports carried by a local media house alleging huge payments for prominent people who acquired immense parcels of forestland at the water tower. . Wekesa was speaking on Sunday at Ol-pajeta animal conservancy in Laikpia  when he received four white rhinos from the Czechoslovakia republic donated by Zoo Drur Kralove conservancy. The report claimed that political heavy weights who were allocated huge swathes of land are to receive about two billion shillings in compensation. The Minister however said the government would consider people with genuine documents acquired legally for compensation. The eviction of Mau squatters from the forest has generated a political ‘heat and verbal trading of words between the Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Agriculture minister William Ruto. Ruto has accused the PM of evicting squatters without proper compensation exposing them to unnecessary sufferings. He said Tanzania had 89,000 while Zambia had 25,000 tons of ivory that they are seeking authority to dispose through the revival of ivory trade. The minister pointed out that Kenyans needed capacity building to help them in maintaining and sustaining the rhinos. Two males and two females were received.

Snow threatens Wigan v Bolton

Monday's Premier League clash between Wigan and Bolton is under threat due to heavy snow in the North-West. Wigan will hold an inspection of the pitch and ground this morning to determine whether tonight's match at home to their near-neighbours can go ahead. Heavy snow in the north west over the weekend has made roads treacherous in the area, although the playing surface at the DW Stadium is believed to be playable. However, there are safety concerns regarding the public parts of the ground and surrounding areas which are still covered in snow and ice. The club hope to be able to make a decision by midday.

Doctors in Brazil have removed four needles from a boy's lung after he was reportedly subjected to a month-long series of bizarre rituals. The two-year-old boy is said to be in a stable condition after the five-hour operation at a hospital in the northeast city of Salvador. But a spokeswoman said he will require further surgery to remove dozens more needles measuring up to two inches long still lodged inside his body. "He's OK, the surgery was a success, he's doing fine," said Susy Moreno. The boy's stepfather has confessed to inserting the needles after being advised to perform a ritual killing. Police say 30-year-old bricklayer Roberto Carlos Magalhaes admitted pushing supposedly "blessed" sewing needles into the child's body because his lover told him to while in a trance. The rituals were performed over a period of one month to try to keep the couple together,

Magalhaes reportedly told detectives. His girlfriend Angelina Ribeiro dos Santos paid a woman who practiced the Afro-Brazilian religion Candomble to bless the needles, inspector Helder Fernandes Santana said. Doctors believe there may be up to 30 needles lodged in the boy's body. Magalhaes and dos Santos have both been arrested. They have been taken to an undisclosed location for their own protection after a mob threw stones at the police station where they were being held. The alleged abuse came to light when the child's mother took him to hospital after he complained he was in pain. Police and medical staff concluded it would have been impossible for the boy to have ingested the needles, which x-rays revealed were in his abdomen, one leg and his spine. Afro-Brazilian religions practiced in the South American country have no ceremonies, rituals or practices involving harm to people, said the University of Brasilia's director of African-Brazilian studies, Nelson Inocencio.

Good news for Mr. & Mrs. Njoroge Marigi

Mr. Dennis Njoroge Marigi and his wife Mrs. Janet Njoroge of London, UK has been blessed with a baby boy Master Jaremy Marigi Njoroge. The delivery took place at Queen's Hospital in Romford, UK on Saturday 18th December, 2009. The jovial couple could not hide their joy at the hospital on Sunday 19th December, 2009 some friends went to see them. From left is Mr. Njoroge, his wife Mrs. Janet Njoroge (holding the baby), Pastor Jane Njiiri and Mrs. Mary Munyambu. You can congratulate them through text messages on 07951279033.

Kenyan activists protest Mau payoffs

Nairobi, Kenya, December 20- A civil society organisation has said that it will move to court this week to seek an injunction against the intended payout of billions of shillings as compensation to powerful people with huge tracts of land in the Mau Forest. Kenyans for Justice and Development Convener Okoiti Omtata said on Sunday that they would meet with their lawyers on Monday to draft the texts which they would present before the court by Wednesday. “We are not going to stand by and be spectators when our scarce national resources are being abused and looted and we are going to do whatever is possible to stop it,” he stated. Mr Omtata was reacting to reports appearing in sections of the media which indicated that about Sh2 billion will be paid out to high profile individuals holding approximately 2,220 hectares of land in the water catchment area. The activist said that doing so meet would amount to rewarding wrongdoers which is unacceptable. - CapitalFM

Former Nyeri Mayor son marries in London

A colourful wedding took place on Saturday 12th.December 2009 between Mr. Robert Nyaga and Miss Faith Mumbi. Nyaga is a son to former Mayor of Nyeri Dr. and Mrs Charles M. Kamara and proprietor of Thungum Academy. The bride is daughter to Colonel S. K. Njung'e the Deputy commander of the Kenya Air Force. The ceremony was officiated by Rev. Edwin M. Kibathi of P.C.E.A UK Outreach, at Brickfield Christian centre, Welfare rd. Stratford, London. The reception was held at Priya Banqueting Hall, High St. North, Manor park. Wazazi wa Bwana arusi walifika asubuhi na kuelekea moja kwa moja hadi kanisani. Kilele cha arusi kilifikia baada ya wafunga ndoa kukata keki iliyokuwa ya kufana sana halafu kuingia sakafuni kujikakamua na densi yao ya kwanza kama bwana na bi arusi. Nao wenye kuhudhuria kukata rumba ya muugithi. -  CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

In 1952 a Nigerian visitor to London was accused of committing an indecent act with a pigeon in Trafalgar Square. As the law at the time prevented only indecency with an animal, the defence attempted to put the case that a pigeon was not an animal. The judge disagreed. The accused was fined £50, and a further £10 for taking the pigeon home and eating it for dinner.

Up to 100 people have been killed after a runaway truck ploughed into a crowded market in Nigeria. Officials said 55 people died, but a BBC reporter at the scene, in Kogi state, counted at least 100 corpses. Kogi state police said the lorry hurtled down a hill at speed, smashing cars and motorcycles then crashing into the market, injuring up to 40 people. Traffic accidents are common in Nigeria because vehicles and roads are badly maintained. "I can only confirm that 55 people were killed. The driver of the truck lost control and ran into a group of people moving in a procession along the road," a senior police officer told AFP news agency. Kogi state commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Yomi Asaniyan, said brake failure was the cause. Declaring three days of mourning, Ibrahim Idris, the governor of Kogi state, expressed his sadness and offered to pay the medical bills of those injured. Eyewitnesses told Nigeria's Sunday Trust newspaper that the market in Allo village in the Dekina area was filled to capacity when it was rammed by the lorry. A number of vehicles caught fire, burning people beyond recognition. It is not yet clear whether the accident happened on Friday or Saturday.  Last week, more than 20 people burned to death when a bus carrying mourners to a funeral collided with a truck on a road in Oyo state, south-west Nigeria.

Washington, Sunday 20th December, 2009. A winter storm is gripping the eastern US, dumping up to 16in (40cm) of snow in some areas, snarling up travel and cutting power supplies. Incidents thought to be storm-related claimed five lives and forecasters warned of 35mph (56km/h) winds in what may be the worst snowstorm in a decade. The 16in which fell at Reagan National Airport outside Washington was the most ever recorded on a single December day. The storm system is moving north toward New York and Boston. Parts of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts could see more than 16in by Sunday night while as many as 10in may land on New York City, forecasters said. Reagan airport was shut down for the night, most flights from Baltimore were cancelled and there were long delays for passengers using Philadelphia and New York. Roads have been badly affected, too, with one transport official calling it a very serious storm. As Washington's Union Station filled with travellers, some of them sprawled out on the floor, the passenger train service Amtrak said delays between Washington and Boston were averaging between 30 and 60 minutes. At least two trains to Boston apparently departed more than four hours late.

Snow was being cleared from the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore ahead of an NFL game on Sunday

In Virginia, several hundred motorists became stranded in their vehicles and had to be rescued by the National Guard, using Humvees. Some 500 people sought warmth and refuge in emergency shelters. Three people died in the state. One was killed when a car hit a tree, a second died of exposure and a third was also apparently killed in a road traffic accident. In Ohio, two people were killed in accidents on snow-covered roads hit by the same storm system. The US National Weather Service warned that weather conditions in the Washington area had made travel "extremely treacherous". "Do not travel," it warned drivers. "If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle." Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty asked residents to sit out the weekend snowstorm at home where possible. US President Barack Obama, arriving back at Andrews Air Force Base in Virginia from the Copenhagen climate conference, travelled into Washington by motorcade rather than helicopter because of the weather.

In pictures: US snowstorms

A fierce winter snowstorm has pummelled the eastern United States, causing travel chaos and forcing airline cancellations in Washington and Baltimore and on right - Frozen in time, these statues at the Korean War Veterans National Memorial in Washington were not spared a dusting of the white stuff. At least one foot (30cm) of snow fell in some areas and more is forecast.

The maize scandal ghost in Kenya is back to haunt the National Cereals and Produce Board and a host of business cartels following revelations that much more money was lost than initially thought. A new report by World Bank, Standing Still: Kenya’s slow economic recovery from quadruple shocks, released on Thursday indicates that Kenya public lost an estimated Sh23.4 billion ($30 million) in subsidies and taxes. "What we have is a report that has been thoroughly researched with indications that the high maize prices also contributed to the slow economic growth registered across the year," said Mr Johhanes Zutt, Word Bank country director-Kenya. Initial estimates had indicated that the country had lost just under Sh1 billion from the maize scandal; the World Bank figure however puts the figure much higher. The bank is blaming NCPB’s failure to follow the original plan of an initiative to cushion the poor by selling maize directly to millers at below market prices.  The NCPB, which determines the producer price of maize by intervening to buy on behalf of the Government, in times of surplus harvest and selling when supply is low, instead chose to sell the maize to brokers who later sold it to millers at a profit. In business deals involving politicians and businessmen, brokers — who sometimes doubled up as millers — exploited the loophole and bought maize from NCPB and later sold the consignments to millers at a profit pushing maize prices to double that of international trends. As a result, maize prices rose to Sh30 per kilogramme compared to globally where it is Sh15 per kilogramme. "Kenya’s maize prices have remained higher than the prevailing international trends despite intervention measures by the Government, meaning that something is not working," said Wolfgang Fengler, World Bank-Kenya chief economist. The World Bank said the rising prices of the staple food affected the urban poor who are mainly net buyers, the landless and subsistence farmers who at some point in the growing cycle have to buy maize. - The Standard.

The five coffins of the deceased before the burial at Elburgon, Nakuru

Five our of eight members of the same family were laid to rest on Friday 18th December, 2009 at Elburgon, Molo District. A husband and wife with their 2 children and a sister were victims of the accident which claimed the lives of eight members of the same family at Al Kalou. The second burial will be on Monday 21st at Londiani in Kiricho District  for Eunice Waithera Karuku and the last two will be laid to rest on Wednesday 23nd at Kietangwany Nakuru District for  mother Agnes Waithera Muchina and daughter  Monicah Njoki Muchina. The three  injured two are still in critical condition at Kijabe Mission Hospital under Intensive Care Unit. On behalf of the family  I wound like to thank all those who supported us in Prayers, financially and even calling us. The family of Catherine Waweru and Anthony Kanja (Birmingham UK) kindly invites friends and well wishes to come forward and assist Catherine’s relative back home who had tragic road accident which claimed life of eight people after the vehicle they were travelling in lost control and rolled several times on Saturday 12th December, 2009.  Seven of them died on the spot and one more passed on as she was treated in hospital and three of them are in intensive care unit. Family in Kenya heard the news over the radio and little did they know it was their family. It was after they failed to communicate that they got worried and confirmed the worst. They are still trying to come to term with whole thing. The family is planning to have burials from Friday 18th December onwards and requesting family members, friends and well wishes to come forward and assist in this tragic matter which have shocked and devastated the whole family. Huge expenses for the burials and those in Intensive care unit. 'Everything works together for good for those who love the Lord'. God bless you for your support. You can wishing to support can do through the bank, Mrs. Catherine Waweru, Lloyds TSB , Sort code 77-85-14, a/c no 29463960. Family and friends are meeting for prayers and preparations at 138 MERRIVALE ROAD, SMETHWICK, WEST MIDLANDS, B66 4EB from 5pm for prayers. For more information please contact is 07728821100 - Anthony Kanja or 07853638678- Catherine Waweru  - paulkanja@yahoo.com

Focus shifts to Maasai Mau

Settlers in Maasai Mau forest have been told to prepare to leave in two weeks. Speaking at the forest on Thursday at the launch of a corporate-driven initiative to plant one million trees in Mau, interim coordinating secretariat chairman Hassan Noor Hassan said attention was now shifting to phase two “after a successful first phase.” A tough-talking Mr Hassan said no one, big or small, would be treated favourably. He said this phase would take longer, however, as it involved settlers with papers. “For a whole month, we shall be marking boundaries and verifying documents, after which we shall kick out those who will have encroached (on the land) and compensate the others,” Mr Hassan said. He said the exercise, targeting 20,000 hectares, will start in the first week of January.  He said this could not be delayed any longer as all four rivers flowing into Lake Nakuru had dried up. Mr Hassan said 24,000 hectares had been recovered in the first phase, which he described as successful. “We have arrested 98 loggers and destroyed 31,000 bags of charcoal since we started,” he said. On why profiling in South Western Mau was not done in advance to check imposters, Mr Hassan said there was no need as “these were people with no document whatsoever.”  He said the team had not anticipated the humanitarian crisis it would breed. On Friday, the team presided over the election of a 60-member Ogiek Council of Elders to help the government resettle the community.

Forest, South Western Mau, Eastern and Maasai Mau. He said the elders would help the secretariat choose the best areas to resettle the community. “The team you choose today will help us identify where to settle you,” he said. He said the Mau Taskforce had recommended that the community had title over Mau as their ancestral land. “The community will, however, be relocated from the vital catchment areas,” he said. Mr Hassan also said victims of the 1997 tribal clashes will be spared. In a related development, money raised by MPs at a fundraiser for Mau squatters was handed over to the Kenya Red Cross Society on Friday. A cheque for Sh3.5 million was presented by MPs Zakayo Cheruiyot and Joshua Kutuny.  Meanwhile, councillors from all the wards in Baringo North District have complained over what they called disrespect for retired president Moi by the government. Bartum ward councillor Richard Kambala criticised Prime Minister Raila Odinga for his remarks that Mr Moi will be next to be evicted from Mau Forest. “He’s a statesman who led Kenya to great heights and deserves some respect,” he said, accusing the PM of using the Mau issue to settle political scores. – Daily Nation.

Pictures Indonesian 'Tree Man' Dede Koswara Continues Treatment

Indonesian man Dede Koswara in his home village in Bandung, Java, Indonesia. Noodle Man: Dede Koswara eating at home. Indonesian man Dede Koswara pose for a photographer in his home village on December 15, 2009 in Bandung, Java, Indonesia. Due to a rare genetic problem with Dede?s immune system he has been unable to fight the HPV infection or Human Papilloma Virus causing his body to produce tree like warts mostly on his arms and legs. Dede?s family including his two children have supported him while he has suffered with the debilitating virus. Following a diagnosis by US doctor Dr Anthony Gaspari, Dede has been able to start treatment for the warts which will improve his quality of life.

A colourful wedding took place on Saturday 12th.December 2009 between Mr. Robert Nyaga and Miss Faith Mumbi. Nyaga is a son to former Mayor of Nyeri Dr. and Mrs Charles M. Kamara and proprietor of Thungum Academy. The bride is daughter to Colonel S. K. Ngung'e the Deputy commander of the Kenya Air Force. The ceremony was officiated by Rev. Edwin M. Kimbathi of P.C.E.A UK Outreach, at Brickfield Christian centre, Welfare rd. Stratford, London. The reception was held at Priya Banqueting Hall, High St. North, Manor park. Wazazi wa Bwana arusi walifika asubuhi na kuelekea moja kwa moja hadi kanisani. Kilele cha arusi kilifikia baada ya wafunga ndoa kukata keki iliyokuwa ya kufana sana halafu kuingia sakafuni kujikakamua na densi yao ya kwanza kama bwana na bi arusi. Nao wenye kuhudhuria kukata rumba ya muugithi.  - MORE PHOTOS

The bridegroom Mr. Robert Nyaga (far left) and the bride Miss Faith Mumbi on right

Another 2012 Presidential candidate from USA

Dr. Solomon Kimuyu is a Kenyan living in Texas, USA, who unsuccessfully contested a parliamentary seat in 2007. He blames it on the electoral structures at party and national levels. Come 2012, he is going for the top prize, this time, with his own political party. Dr. Kimuyu recently talked to East Africa in Focus about his presidential ambitions and his vision for Kenya. In the spring of 1910 was an important day in the history of the Akamba people of Muumandu Hill. Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States of America arrived at Konza railway station shortly after mid-day on a locomotive train from Mombasa. The officer in the Caboose gesticulated the train to a halt.  He gazed on the open range of the kapiti (Wapiti) plains covered with endless herds of wild life: From this vantage point, the President saw a mountain whose snow cap was dazzling under the equatorial sun.  The  mountain is no other than Mt. Kilimanjaro, mushrooming 19,000 feet above the earth, about 160 Kilometers south. The President asked the (then) British Trading Company to build water towers on Muumandu Hill and other surrounding hills in Machakos for the natives to draw clean drinking water for themselves, irrigation and for their animals.  Nothing was done at that time, not during the Colonial rule, and not even after Kenya received her Independence. - MORE

Dr. Solomon Kimuyu becomes the 12th candidate for 2012 presidential candidate in Kenya

A Kenyan Gospel Singer Joyce Muturi is
inviting you for her LAUNCHING OF HER DVD in
London on Saturday 19th December, 2009.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

London, Friday 18th December, 2009. Commuters are experiencing travel disruption as heavy snow falls across much of the UK, with south-east and east England worst affected. The Met Office has also issued severe snow warnings for London, the East Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber. Up to 20cm (8in) has already fallen in counties including Kent, Essex and Sussex and more is to come on Friday. About 200 drivers on the M20 and M2 in Kent were stuck in tailbacks overnight and flights have also been cancelled. Essex Police dealt with more than 180 weather-related incidents during the night, including more than 20 road collisions. Suffolk Police say it has been an "horrendous night". They have dealt with 230 incidents after up to 15cm (6in) of snow fell in the county, and dozens of drivers were forced to spend the night in their cars. Hertfordshire Police had more than 400 emergency calls through the night. Scores of jack-knifed lorries and abandoned cars litter the roads in the worst affected areas. Thousands of children are starting their Christmas holidays a day early as schools in many counties have been forced to close. Energy company EDF says electricity supplies have been cut off in parts of south-east and east England. The worst affected areas in the east include Cambridge, King's Lynn and Ipswich. In Norfolk, several thousand properties are without power, and EDF said its engineers' efforts to restore power were being hampered by the bad weather. Some 1,000 homes are also without power in Cumbria. EasyJet said it had cancelled about 50 flights at Gatwick, Stansted and Luton airports. Specific problems include:

• Gatwick airport was closed from 0015 until 0730 GMT. EasyJet cancelled all flights from there until 1130, with other delays and diversions continuing since it reopened

• Luton airport in Bedfordshire reopened at about 1115

• Heathrow and Stansted airports stayed open, but there were delays to flights there, as well as at Manchester airport. There are delays to the train and bus services in and out of Stansted

• More than 350 schools have shut in Kent, the same number in Hertfordshire and more than 200 in Suffolk. Norfolk and Cambridgeshire have each seen more than 100 close

• National Rail Enquiries has warned of disruption to train services on Friday, particularly in east and south-east England

• Sections of the M40 were closed during rush hour following accidents. Normal traffic conditions were expected to resume from 1030

• In Essex, more than 70 lorries got stuck in blizzards on the A120 near Harwich, and on the A12 near Colchester some drivers had to sleep in their vehicles until gritters and snowploughs arrived

• Roads in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire were reported to be hazardous

• Other roads affected include the M2 and M20 in Kent, and the A168 in North Yorkshire - partly closed northbound due to a jack-knifed lorry

• Between 30 to 40 cars were trapped behind two lorries, stuck on the A166 in East Yorkshire

• National Hunt racing at Ascot on Friday and Saturday has been abandoned due to snow

Driving winds and sub-zero temperatures brought blizzard conditions to much of the UK late on Thursday and in the early hours of Friday. The Met Office said the heaviest snowfall overnight was in Norfolk, Bedford and Buckinghamshire.

Good morning with snow from London

Commuters are experiencing travel problems as heavy snow falls in parts of eastern England, with up to 20cm possible.

Extraordinary video has been obtained by scientists of the deepest undersea eruption ever recorded.  The footage was captured by the US Jason robotic submersible that descended over 1,100m into the Pacific Ocean to acquire the high-definition footage. It shows lava bursting into the water at the West Mata submarine volcano, which is sited about 200km south-west of the Samoas. - VIDEO

TALK OF SICK LEAVE: It comes comes in December when staffs want to take leave by force. Many companies and organizations are in short of staff because of many people calling in for sick leave. One department of an organization in UK is grounded after 18 staff out of 29 staffs calls in for a sick leave. Strange enough they are having the same message: "The doctor recommends that I take one month sick leave to avoid spreading the homa to other staff". Before you grow old, you will come through so many things.

UK police on Wednesday 16th December, 2009 charged a son of embattled London-based Kenyan preacher Gilbert Deya with the murder of his three-year-old boy and the attempted murder of his wife. Mr Paul Otieno Deya, 31, was subsequently detained under Section 2 of the Mental Heath Act.  Section 2 of the Act allows compulsory admission for assessment followed by medical treatment for a duration of up to 28 days. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said “A Magistrate’s Court appearance will be postponed until a future date”. Paul was arrested on November 24 after his son, Wilson, was found stabbed to death the previous day. Since his arrest, he has remained under 24 hours police guard at unidentified South London hospital. He underwent surgery for stab wounds to his neck and body.  Paul was suspected of having killed Wilson and stabbing the boy’s mother, Jacqueline Achieng Otieno, 28, in a ferocious knife attack at their home on Lynton Road, Southwark, South East London before turning the knife on himself.  The couple’s 17-month-old daughter, Valerie, was not harmed in the incident.  Mrs Otieno is believed to be staying with her adopted West Indies family in Peckham South London while Valerie is in custody of Southwark Social Services. Paul was adopted by Pastor Deya after his father, Wilson Deya, died in the 1970s. He arrived in the UK in the late 1990s along with Bishop Deya’s other children, Amos, Dan, Rebecca, Jane, David and Moses. Moses is now in the custody of social services after DNA paternity results proved he was not Pastor Deya’s son. Paul’s brother, Walter lives in Nairobi with his wife, Annete. Paul took media studies at Croydon College along with his cousin Dan in 2003. – Daily Nation.

Paul Deya and his bride cutting the cake at their wedding in London. Photo/Gakuru Macharia

A MAASAI PROVERB

Onu naitaasur tunani.

It is the eye which makes man suffer

Tiger Wood Charged With Careless Driving. Golfer Tiger Woods will not face criminal charges over his early morning car crash. But the Florida Highway Patrol says he has been issued with a careless driving ticket and could be fined up to $164 and have four points docked from his licence.

The late Kiki's body laid to rest in Karatina, Nyeri

Photos by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi, Kenya

The late Kariuki Munyota (Kiki) was buried in Karatina, Nyeri, Kenya on Thursday 17th December, 2009. The well attended ceremony  went on well. Many local people attended as well as from London and USA. The convoy left Kenyatta University College Mortuary at 7.00 a.m. arriving at Karatina at 9.30 a.m. Bishop Peter Gatimu the General Overseer of Apostolic Church, Kenya officiated the ceremony assisted by Bishop Samuel Muya of Elburgon. Over ten people from UK attended the ceremony. They kept time and by 3.00pm everything had been done. On left photo Mrs. Polly Munyota - Mama Kiki having the last look of her departed son and on right the late Kiki's brother Mwangi and sister Jeniffer laying their flower at the grave. - CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

Heavy snow forecast for many parts of UK

Heavy snowfall is expected in parts of the UK, with south-east England expected to be worst affected. The Met Office has issued an early warning and said travel networks may be affected by snow on Friday. Up to 20cm (8in) of snow could fall in some parts of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London and East Anglia, with gale-force winds causing drifts, forecasters say. Snow is also forecast in parts of central and northern England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. There have already been intermittent snow showers leaving a light covering of snow across north-east England, parts of East Anglia and the Midlands. Snow has also been falling in the Brecon area of mid Wales and in the Neath area of south Wales. The snowfall is expected to become heavier into Thursday evening with bands of snow spreading across south-east England, East Anglia and the London area, where forecasters say 10cm of snow could fall by midnight. John Hammond, of the BBC Weather Centre, said conditions would worsen through the early hours of Friday, with gale-force winds causing snow to drift, and some places seeing as much as 20cm of snow. Conditions are expected to be at their worst during the Friday morning rush hour. Conditions in the South East are expected to ease during Friday, with more cold and icy weather predicted for Saturday and Sunday. Further snow is predicted over the weekend, particularly across the north of the UK. However, the Met Office said it was too early to say whether there would be a white Christmas. A Met Office spokesman said: "Current indications show an ongoing battle between the colder air currently over the UK and milder air pushing in from the west. As a result the forecast for Christmas Day is still too close to call."

M-PESA AT THATCHED HOUSE

M-PESA now at Thatched House. You can now send your MONEY

back to Kenya as you eat drink at Thatched House.

For more information please contact 07960323586

'Honour killing' father given life for Tulay murder

A father has been jailed for life to serve a minimum tariff of 22 years for murdering his daughter, 15, in a so-called honour killing. Tulay Goren disappeared in 1999 after having a relationship with a man her family disapproved of. At the Old Bailey earlier, her father Mehmet, 49, was convicted of murder. His brothers Cuma Goren, 42, and Ali Goren, 55, were cleared of the charge. Tulay was last seen at her home in north London, in January 1999. The body of the schoolgirl - who told a friend she may have been pregnant just before she disappeared - has never been found. The court previously heard Mehmet Goren disapproved of Tulay's relationship with factory worker Halil Unal because of religious differences and the fact Mr Unal was 15 years older than Tulay. Goren and his brothers Cuma and Ali, both from Walthamstow, east London, were all cleared of conspiring to murder Mr Unal, between May 1998 and February 1999. The judge in the case, Mr Justice Bean, said Goren's attempts to appear a "thoroughly modern and enlightened family man failed to deceive the jury". "The reality is that your enigmatic smile conceals a violent and dominating personality," he told the killer. "Your wife Hanim has finally had the courage to break free of the domination and reveal what she knew of what you did in January 1999."

Goren disposed of the schoolgirl's body "with such ingenuity that it has never been found", the judge said. "There is nothing honourable about such a hideous practice or the people who carry it out," he added. Mr Justice Bean made clear Goren would not be eligible for parole until 2030, when he will be nearly 70. The court had heard that on 7 January 1999, the part-time fish and chip shop worker, told his son Tuncay to kiss Tulay goodbye at their home in Woodford Green, London, as he would never see his sister again. Jonathan Laidlaw QC, prosecuting, said he killed Tulay "to restore the so-called honour" of the family, who originate from Turkey. The term "honour" was an "appalling and inappropriate way" to "dignify" the offence, he added. The court heard Mr Unal was brought up as a Sunni Muslim while the Gorens were from the Alevi branch of the faith. Despite coming from places no more than 60 miles apart in Turkey, a relationship between the sects "would not have been tolerated", and Tulay was killed by Goren "to avoid further humiliation".

The court was also told Goren served three years in jail for a hatchet attack on Mr Unal, 13 days after the murder. But the attack and the disappearance were treated separately and it was two months before detectives began to suspect Tulay had been murdered. Mehmet Goren's wife Hanim, 45, is now living in fear after she named him as their daughter's killer, saying he had "swallowed" Tulay. He collapsed in the dock at the Old Bailey as she began giving evidence against him and she later screamed at her husband across the courtroom, demanding to know what he had done with the girl. Police said they were now better able to recognise "tell-tale signs" connected to honour violence. Jonathan Laidlaw QC, prosecuting, said that the Goren case was a "terrible reminder of what honour-based crime can involve" and a "wake-up call" to the existence of the problem in this country. Following the verdict, police and lawyers praised Mrs Goren and Tulay's sisters. Detective Inspector John Macdonald of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: "Although it has taken some time, there has finally been some justice for Tulay." Tulay's older sister Nuray Guler, 28, has called on her father to tell the family where she was buried. "For my father, I have only one request. I ask that he finally discloses the whereabouts of my sister," she said. "I wake up at night wondering where Tulay may be. In quiet moments during the day I ask myself if she suffered or knew what was in store for her." In a statement read outside court on behalf of Ali Goren, he said: "The case has caused so much suffering for the Goren family." Cuma Goren also thanked the jury and said he would like to go home to have time to spend with his family.

Caught at the burial of the late Kiki is Bishop Muya introducing his mother to Mama Kiki and on right is Pastor Kariuki the founder of Jubilee International Ministries in London before retiring back in Kenya

British Airways strike blocked by court

A strike by British Airways cabin crew planned for Christmas has been declared illegal in a High Court ruling. The judge agreed with BA that the cabin crew's union, Unite, had not correctly balloted its members on the strike action. The injunction means that the 12-day strike cannot now go ahead. Unite called it "a disgraceful day for democracy" and vowed to hold a fresh ballot of cabin crew if the dispute with BA was not resolved. "There is something wrong with the law," said Unite joint general secretary Derek Simpson. He admitted that while there would be "great euphoria" among the travelling public, the union would immediately put in place plans for a fresh ballot alongside its continuing negotiations with BA. "We'll see at the end of the day who wins this, we will see at the end of the day proper democracy, proper justice," added Mr Simpson. If Unite does go ahead with another ballot, industrial relations laws would mean that fresh industrial action could not be announced until well into the new year.

Samuel Isaboke sent his snap of a monkey turning to a tap for a drink in Mombasa, Kenya into the BBC's Focus On Africa Magazine.

Man sets son on fire over missing cash

Nairobi, Kenya, Dec 17 - A 10 year old boy is receiving treatment at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital after being allegedly set on fire by his father. The incident is reported to have taken place in Kawangware when the boy’s father came home drunk and accused him of stealing money. He then went ahead and doused the boy in paraffin before setting him ablaze. Neighbours who heard the boy’s cries rushed to the scene, rescued him and rushed him to the hospital where he has been receiving treatment since Monday. According to Doctor Omondi Wasuna, the boy sustained over 35 percent burns on his face and stomach with second to third degree burns and still requires close medical attention. “It takes time to get out of danger because the effects of no skin begin to set in. It (the skin) begins to lose water and salts within 24 to 48 hours the salts become deranged. Infections start setting in. When you get burnt some of the by-products of the burnt material are taken into the body. These materials are poisonous to the kidney and they begin to have their effects on it. So 48 hours later, what looked like a stable patient could just change,” he said. Dr Wasuna further explained that the hospital had so far administered water and salts necessary for healing the damaged skin and tissue as well as antibiotics to kill the germs and pain killers to relieve pain. “One can really dry out very quickly having been burnt on 35 percent of the body surface area so we have issued fluid replacement. We have also had to ensure that the salt environment of the body is right because the skin is also involved in regulating the different salts. A derangement in these salts could cause death,” he said.

Nûû ûratûrire ichungwa?

Associated Press - December 16, 2009 9:25 AM ET

HOUSTON (AP) - A Texas law that allows illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at colleges and universities is facing a legal challenge. David A. Rogers with the Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas says the lawsuit filed in Houston alleges the state is violating federal law and seeks an injunction to halt the practice. The lawsuit, filed Monday, names the University of Houston, Houston Community College and Lone Star College systems. A spokesman for UH declined comment Tuesday. HCC officials say their attorneys were reviewing the lawsuit. A Lone Star spokesman declined comment. UH law professor Michael A. Olivas, who helped draft the Texas statue, says federal law allows states to pass their own legislation regarding in-state residency for undocumented students. In-state tuition is generally cheaper than fees for out-of-state residents. Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com

Problems come to us not to cause more problems but  for solutions.

Africa in photos

Zambia's leading sportswoman, Esther Phiri, 26, has amassed five boxing titles in only 13 professional fights. An impressive record for someone who grew up with few prospects in a Lusaka township. Her father died when she was young. There was no money to send her to school and by the time she was 15 she had a daughter. She sold chicken feet at the local market to support her child. Phiri started going to the gym to lose weight. "I was still selling in the market then. Life was tough. Just training and selling and trying to improve my life." Then a boxing scout recognised her potential.

12 Eritrean footballers granted asylum

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has granted the 12 members of the Eritrean national soccer team asylum. They were granted passes to allow them stay in Kenya as UNHCR works on their cases. The players were interviewed by the Ministry of Immigration officials on Wednesday night and later granted asylum after being cleared by UNHCR. After being given the stickers, which will last for three months, they were escorted to an undisclosed place in the city. "They are under the UNHCR and cannot be arrested," said an official at the UNHCR offices who sought anonymity. The players are said to have displayed affidavits they swore before departing Asmara, saying they would not go back because of harassment in their country. There was drama at the immigration offices as the players roughed up journalists who had camped there awaiting their arrival. They later apologised saying they thought the journalists were police planning to arrest them. The players resurfaced at the UNHCR offices in Nairobi days after they went missing to seek asylum status. They arrived at the UNHCR offices in Westlands, Nairobi, in a hired car and went into a meeting with officials before being referred to the refugee offices at the Ministry of Immigration headquarters at Nyayo House, where their case was heard. They made up nearly half the 25 players and coaches Eritrea sent to the soccer tournament for nations from East and central Africa.  Team organiser Nicholas Musonye alerted police when only 13 team members departed after the tournament ended on Sunday. Police said they launched investigation and learnt none of the 12 players had a visa to remain in Kenya. - The Standard.

Scientists discover Earth-like, water-rich planet: study

Astronomers have discovered a new Earth-like planet that is larger than our own and may be more than half covered with water, according to a study published Wednesday in the science journal Nature. The so-called "super Earth" is about 42 light years away in another solar system and has a radius nearly 2.7 times larger than that of our planet, according to the study by the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics. The discovery of the planet, called GJ 1214b, represents a "major step forward" in the search for worlds similar to the Earth, added the University of California's Geoffrey Marcy in a commentary also in Nature. The "newfound world" is too hot to sustain life as we know it, said the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics in a statement. Its density suggests however it "is composed of about three-fourths water and other ices and one fourth-rock," it said. "There are also tantalising hints that the planet has a gaseous atmosphere." Its temperature is estimated at between 280 and 120 degrees Celsius (536 and 248 degrees Fahrenheit) with its host star about one-fifth the size of the Sun, according to the scientists.

"Despite its hot temperature, this appears to be a waterworld," says Zachory Berta, a graduate student who first spotted hints of the planet's presence. "It is much smaller, cooler and more Earthlike than any other known exoplanet," he said in the statement. An exoplanet is one outside of our solar system. Berta said some of the water would likely be in crystalline form that exists at pressures greater than 20,000 times Earth's sea-level atmosphere. Its temperature is much lower than that on the only similar discovery, called CoRoT-7b, which revolves around a star that is much hotter, the scientists say. The CoRoT-7b has a density close to that of the Earth (5.5 grammes per cubic centimetre) and seems to be rocky, while the new discovery appears to be much less dense (1.9 g/cm3). "To keep the planet's density that low requires that it contains large amounts of water," said Marcy. "It must contain a huge amount of water, roughly 50 percent by mass." The "wild card" is the make-up of the gases on the planet, he said. The planet orbits every 38 hours around a small, faint star that was first spotted by eight ground-based telescopes no larger than those used by amateur astronomers, the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre said. Its relative closeness makes its possible to study it to determine its atmosphere. "That will make it the first super Earth with a confirmed atmosphere -- even though that atmosphere probably won't be hospitable to life as we know it," said David Charbonneau who heads the research team.

The vanishing snow of Mount Kenya

The ultimate joy of a mountain climber is reaching the snow-covered peak. But those who have been scaling Mt Kenya, Africa’s second highest mountain, have a reason to worry. Mountain glaciers are melting at an alarming rate and if this continues, the fun of climbing this mountain may vanish forever. About a century ago, there were over 18 glaciers (masses of moving snow at the peak of the mountain) on the mountain which stands at 1,599 metres above sea level. But today there are only 11 and four of them are a pale shadow of what they were 30 years ago, thanks to the effect of global warming and climate change. Mr Hiram Munuhe a veteran mountain guide says he has watched the glaciers disappear before his very eyes over the last 20 years. At first he could not understand what the cause was but not any more. He knows exactly what the problem is. “Today, I fully understand the effects of climate change on Mt Kenya’s biodiversity. Unfortunately, this is affecting my job and those of 600 others who derive their livelihood from guiding tourists to climb the highest peak on the mountain,” he explains. Every year, about 40,000 people climb the mountain according to records from the Kenya Wildlife Service. To a mountain climber, there is no joy when one has not reached the highest point, Batian, which has to be accessed by climbing through masses of ice. - Daily Nation

Snow due as cold snap continues

London, Thursday 17th December, 2009. Most of the UK will see some snow as the cold snap continues. Many areas will see just a dusting of flakes but East Anglia and south east England were warned to expect between 10 and 15cm. Paul Mott, forecaster from MeteoGroup UK, the weather arm of the Press Association, said it will be cold and wintry for the next week throughout the UK, but a white Christmas is more likely in the north. "There could be a return to slightly milder weather before Christmas," he said. "If there is any snow at Christmas it is looking more likely in northern areas. It will be milder in the South." Mr Mott said most areas of the UK will see some snow with Scotland, the North East of England and Yorkshire likely to see several centimetres. Snow is least likely in south west England and south west Wales, he said. "The heaviest of the snow showers are likely to be in East Anglia and south east England. The heaviest of the snow looks to be over Suffolk and Norfolk with 10 to 15cms overnight, a good blanket." London could see between two and 5cms, he added, with a strong wind making it feel bitterly cold. Less snow is expected in north and western parts but temperatures could fall as low as -5C (23F), he said. East Anglia and the south east are likely to see further snow showers on Friday. More snow is expected across the UK on Saturday. Bookmaker Ladbrokes cut its odds on London experiencing a white Christmas from 5/2 to 2/1. It is also offering odds of 2/1 for a white Christmas in Glasgow. Aberdeen has odds of 11/8 while Birmingham, Cardiff, Dublin and Manchester are all on 11/4.

Magara loses his parliamentary seat

South Mugirango Member of Parliament Omingo Magara has lost his seat.   Kisii High Court Judge Daniel Musinga Thursday 17th December, 2009  declared the election of the Trade assistant minister  null and void in an election petition filed against him by Manson Oyongo Nyamweya.   Justice Musinga said the returning and presiding officers had committed an election offense by failing to sign form 16A in several polling stations.  He said such an election offense overrides Magara's lead of 10,024 votes against Nyamweya's 5,334 votes in the recount exercise.  Magara becomes the second Member of Parliament in the current parliament to lose his seat after Joel Onyancha who lost the Bomachoge seat.

Democrats party in USA move to overhaul immigration. House Democrats Tuesday unveiled major legislation to overhaul the nation’s immigration laws, pegging its passage to the fulfillment of a campaign promise by President Barack Obama. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), who has shepherded the bill, enjoyed chants of “yes we can” from a horde of onlookers in a packed room in the Rayburn House Office Building. But the future of the bill is more uncertain. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, including Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) and its most senior member, Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D-Texas), lauded the bill, saying it’s long overdue and would help integrate undocumented immigrants into U.S. society. But with the nation’s unemployment in double-digits and massive health-care overhaul legislation slogging through the Senate, the timing and prospects of the legislation are in question. Still, Gutierrez indicated that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has given his word the measure would see time on the Senate floor. And Gutierrez said Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) have also agreed that the bill would be considered in the Senate before the House. Although Gutierrez has so far shepherded the bill, Ortiz will bring the bill to the House, where it’s unlikely to have much, if any, Republican support. The legislation seeks to incorporate undocumented immigrants into society by providing them a path to legalization, with requirements along the way such as learning English and registering with the federal government. Although some Democrats have been critical of the president’s sometimes arm-length approach to Congress, Gutierrez praised the administration on Tuesday, saying that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has been helpful in discussions about implementing the bill.  “I’ve been a very harsh critic of the president, but I’m feeling very optimistic,” Gutierrez said of the potential for White House support.

Obama addresses immigration reform

Obama: Immigration bill this year

Dems face crucial immigration test

Grumbles over immigration meeting

Kenyan Couple In Arlington, Texas, USA Lose Their Little Angel

We are sad to announce the death of a little angel, Liyah Wanjiku Nyabaro. She passed away on Sunday night, December 13th, 2009. Little Liyah was 10 months old at the time of her passing . She was the daughter to Margaret Mukami Mukabi and Jim Nyabaro of Arlington, TX.   According to our sources close to the family, Alex Ndirangu and Wangechi Kimani, Liyah was found unresponsive by her father that fateful evening. Jim Nyabaro was at home with Liyah while his wife, Margaret, was working at the time. Mr Nyabaro who had been relaxing with her daughter went to warm her some milk at around 9pm. Liyah was left sleeping on the couch. When her dad came back to feed Liyah the milk, he could not get her to wake up. She was not responding at all and her body was limp. Mr. Nyabaro immediately called the paramedics who rushed to the home. The paramedics fruitlessly tried to resuscitate her.  She was then pronounced dead at the scene. Investigations into the death are being conducted and initial investigations results indicate that no foul play is suspected. Examiners from the Sheriff’s office visited the home again on Monday night to conduct routine investigations which include recreating the scene and unfolding of events leading to the time of Liyah’s death. A dummy doll was used to re-enact the position that Liyah was in at the time. Little Liyah’s burial is tentatively scheduled for this weekend pending arrival in the US of other family members from the UK who include Liyah’s grandmother, Jane Mukabi who is a business woman in London. Prayers and Meetings are being held at the Nyambaro residence at 2304 Windsprint Way #416, Arlington, TX 76014 from 6pm. - Jambonewspot.com

Bizarre creature born with features of man and goat

You have  seen them as mythical beasts in the Chronicles of Narnia - now a village has been left shellshocked after the birth of a bizarre faun-like creature with the combined features of a man and a goat.  Bild reports the goat, which died just a few hours after birth in Lower Gweru, Zimbabwe, had a huge head and face which resembled a human as well as goat legs and a tail. Villagers said the end product was so scary even dogs were afraid to go close to it. They burned the corpse fearing it was an evil sign. "This is indeed a miracle that has never been witnessed anywhere," elder Themba Moyo said. The goat's owner called police after the birth. "It’s the first time that my goat did this. I have 15 goats and it’s this goat that gave me birth to most of them. My goats often give birth to sets of twins," he said.

Bizarre ... the creature died just hours after birth

The Zimbabwe Guardian reports that Midlands Governor and Resident Minister Jason Machaya is adamant the creature is the result of a coupling between man and goat. "This incident is very shocking. It is my first time to see such an evil thing. It is really embarrassing," he stormed. "The head belongs to a man while the body is that of a goat. This is evident that an adult human being was responsible. Evil powers caused this person to lose self control  "We often hear cases of human beings who commit bestiality but this is the first time for such an act to produce a product with human features." Half-man, half-goat creatures like fauns and satyrs are popular in Greek and Roman mythology. James McAvoy played the famous faun Mr Tumnus in the recent big-screen adaptations of CS Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series. - Source: The Daily Telegraph Source: The Daily Telegraph

Hand of God in girl’s kidnap tale

There was every reason to smile after two-year-old Jane Wangui was re-united with her mother Ann Wanjiku (left) and grandmother Jane Wangui after the girl spent eight months in the hands of kidnappers. The family reunion took place at their Kianoe farm in Subukia, Nakuru North District an the weekend.

With tears flowing down her cheeks, Ann Wanjiku, 19, clung to her two-year-old daughter, Jane. Hers were tears of joy; the overwhelming joy only a mother can feel at being re-united with a kidnapped baby. The joy at the family home in Kianoe Village of Subukia in Nakuru North District was infectious. Many in the crowd at the re-union discreetly wiped away tears. And when one voice rang out in a thanksgiving song Ngai wakwa ni munene — My God is great! — the rest needed no further prompting to join in. Jamhuri Day marked the end of agony for the young single mother, a matron at a private school in Gilgil. Ann had been told by a religious leader of the possible whereabouts of her daughter — having seen it all “in a vision”. So, accompanied by three policemen and the religious leader, they had set off in search of the two-year-old girl. The group ended up in a Nyahururu town estate where, as it turned out, the child was being hidden. “I heard a voice in the kitchen which resembled that of my daughter. At that time, nothing mattered,” she said. On entering the house, a woman said the girl had been left behind by a househelp who had disappeared. Police traced her and arrested her and is now locked up at the Nakuru Central police station to face abduction charges . Nakuru police officer Johnstone Ipara said during the eight months Jane was missing, “any tip we received was never taken for granted.” Mr Lucas Lingole, the officer commanding Subukia police station assigned three officers.

Said Ann: “The eight months were stressful. I lost weight and could not sleep. I kept wondering whether my child was alive, whether whoever kidnapped her was showing her love.” Her hands arched protectively around her daughter. Ann’s agony started on the morning of April 18, when she received a telephone call from her mother, Jane Wangui. Her mother tearfully informed her of the baby’s disappearance. “At first, I could not grasp what my mum was telling me. I started shivering and sweating,” recalls Ann. She immediately asked the school principal for emergency leave. After her efforts to trace the child proved futile, she placed announcements over FM radio stations, but all she received were fake leads. “I received many calls from as far as Eldoret, but most of the callers were pretenders. I spent a lot of money travelling from town to town.” Some “comforters” offered to take her to witch doctors but she turned down their offers and instead knelt down and prayed. “I told myself: ‘If God gave me this child, he has all the reasons to protect her.’” Last Thursday, her mother called to inform her that through prayer, a villager who is a religious leader, had had a vision and was shown where the child was. This villager led them to a house where they found Jane under the care of a 53 year-old-woman. “I’m planning a big homecoming party for my daughter this festive season to thank the Almighty God. “But I would not like to undergo such psychological torture in my life again. Those who specialise in kidnapping other people’s children should face the full force of the law,” were her parting shots. Her mother Wangui said: “God is great. I’ve been fasting for eight months. God has answered my prayers. This child was the first from my six children to call me cucu (grandmother)  - Daily Nation.

Lemon: Benefits &Uses

Fingernail Cleaner – The acidic properties of lemons are potent enough to remove the yellowish fingernail stains coming from cigarettes and coffee. Just rub the juice from a freshly squeezed lemon on your fingernail and the stains will eventually fade. You can even use the rind as a makeshift scrubber for faster results.

Sad news for a Kenyan family in the UK. Eight members of the same family died on Sunday evening 13th December, 2009 and three critical in hospital after an accident in Kenya. The accident happened along Ol Kalou Road and Miharati road on Sunday evening. The family had attended a family gathering at Miharati and they met the accident as they were being dropped by a family member with a Toyota Prado. They were being escorted to Al Kalou to connect public transport. Sources says that all the victims (16) were travelling in the same car when the accident happened and most of them were children who has been treated and discharged from hospital. It is said the vehicle lost control.  Some of the dead are from Elburgon, Londian and Nakuru. They are a family the wife Mr. Antony Kanja of Birmingham, UK Mrs. Catherine Wanjikru Kanja. Family in UK are arranging the meeting venue but meanwhile you can contact Anthony Kanja at 07728821100.   Full story below.

Tragic End to Family Fete as Eight Perish

The remains of the family Toyota Prado (left) after the accident and on right is the how the Prado looks like before the accident

And special it was, bringing together his kinsmen: men, women and their children. The celebrations went on throughout Saturday night. The visitors stayed on till midday on Sunday and when it was time to depart, requested to be driven to Ol Kalou town to pick vehicles to their respective destinations, as few matatus ply the Njambini-Ol Kalou-Dundori road. Njoroge’s daughter, Carol, offered to drive them to Ol Kalou in her car. The vehicle took off after emotional farewells. For eight of these relatives – three of them children – this was to be their last farewell. Just 15 kilometres after the journey began, it came to a shattering end. The vehicle carrying 16 relatives rolled several times as the driver allegedly swerved to avoid hitting a herd of sheep that had suddenly run into the road ahead of her. Police reports later showed that Mr Njoroge’s nephew, James Ndung’u, 30, his wife, Naomi Njeri, 26, their daughter, Wangari Ndung’u, 5, and their son, James Mbiriri Ndung’u, died on the spot along with Monica Njoki, 40 and Joyce Ndegwa, 15.

Mr Njoroge’s sisters, Eunice Waithera and Agnes Waithera, died later at Ol Kalou Hospital, bringing the death toll to eight. Eight others in the car, including Carol, suffered varying degrees of injuries and were taken to Kijabe Mission Hospital where they are receiving treatment. On Monday, Mzee Njoroge, pain and sorrow evident in his eyes, talked of the last moments with his relatives and the devastating blow. “Ni pigo kubwa. Lakini ajali ikitokea unamwachia Mungu. (It is a big blow, but we leave it all to God),” he told the Nation, as his wife looked on pensively. Relatives and friends were on hand to condole with the family and start burial arrangements. But a bigger number of relatives had rushed to Kijabe Mission Hospital to check on the injured ones. Even as questions linger on whether or not the vehicle was overloaded, Mr Njoroge said the majority number in the vehicle were children who had to travel with their parents. “Most of the people in the vehicle were small children and not adults,” he said.

He instead blamed the accident on the poor workmanship of the road and poor visibility as there are bushes right up to the edge of the road. This, he reasoned, might have made it difficult for the driver to see the sheep in good time.  The road, said Mr Njoroge, was also narrow and slippery, making it difficult for motorists to manoeuvre in case of an emergency. Nyandarua Traffic Base Commander Patrick Manyasi said that the vehicle was carrying 16 people when the accident occurred at Gillette, seven kilometres from Ol Kalou Township.

Among the victims who sustained injuries were 60-year-old Jacinta Njeri and her granddaughter, 8-year-old Jacinta Njeri. Others were Monica Njoki, 11, Samuel Kibuchi, 9, Mary Gatua, 2, Mary Wangare, 33, Ms Ruth Wanjiru, 32, and Ms Carol Wambui, 31. Mr Manyasi said that the motor vehicle seemed to have been speeding when it attempted to negotiate a bend.  “It rolled several times thereby hurting everyone who was in the motor vehicle as they had not worn safety belts. Its left wheels burst on impact,” said Mr Manyasi. The nurse in charge of the hospital, Joseph Ndolo told the Nation that of those taken to the hospital, two children were treated and discharged as they had minor injuries. One man is admitted in the Intensive Care Unit. The motor vehicle, which was extensively damaged, was towed to Miharati Police Station. – Daily Nation.

Kiki's body arrives in Kenya and taken to Kenyatta University morgue

Photos by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi, Wednesday 16th December, 2009. Virgin Atlantic arrived at 9.00 am among them the mother of Kiki Mrs. Polly Munyota, Mrs. Rose Mumbi Muhamed, Mrs. Jane Muita, Kiki’s brother Mwangi and Sister Jennifer Kimani. The body was then transported to Kenyatta university mortuary where it will be picked up for the burial at Karatina tomorrow Thursday 17th December, 2009.  Everything from the airport went smoothly all the way. Above left the body of Kiki on Thika Road near Roasters More on the burial later - CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

Statement to the Committee of Experts (COE) by Kenyans in the Diaspora

Regarding the Harmonised Draft Constitution of Kenya

We, Kenyans and people of Kenyan descent in the Diaspora, meeting under the umbrella of Kenyans4kenya network, a group of Kenyans interested in a stable and secure motherland, met on the 12th of December 2009 in Harrow London, United Kingdom, to among other things study and provide inputs into the Harmonised Draft Kenyan Constitution,  prepared by the Committee of Experts (COE)  of Kenya.  In our delegations we mainly focused on chapter four (4) and wish to make  recommendations for considerations to the Committee as they work to produced the  final draft for enactment 

General Observations;
Having studied the Harmonised Draft Constitution of Kenya, conscious that the  new constitution should serve present and future generations; we hereby wish and  do make the following observations and recommendations;

I.  We commend the Committee of Experts (COE) for expeditiously providing a  harmonised draft that has provisions, which if enacted will provide an  environment for a stable and prosperous Kenya for today’s generations and those  to come.

II. We acknowledge the various inputs from various groups, and having studied  the draft, feel that it nearly captures the essence of what an ideal  constitution for our country should have.

III.    We support the harmonised draft and urge our leaders to come to  consensus on any outstanding issues so that momentum in giving Kenyans a new  constitution is not lost through narrow self interests.

Specific Diaspora inputs on Chapter Four – Citizenship

1.  Regarding Chapter 4; we make the following specific recommendations and  observations;

a)  We commend the COE for having a well defined chapter on Citizenship. We  consider clause 4.21 on dual nationality as a positive step that will ensure  that Kenyans in the Diaspora re-connect with their motherland for greater  investment and prosperity.

b)  Having looked at the whole of chapter 4, we suggest that the committee  critically looks at the use of language to avoid any ambiguity and hence  misinterpretation for any of the clauses;

c)  We propose that the committee carefully reads clause 15 of chapter 4 so that  its not seen to be discriminating some groups; In particular we propose that the  words “the same” be deleted so that it refers to all Kenyans;

d)  On clause 16.2 we suggest that the committees rewords the sentence and  strikes out the words “Immediately”;
 
e)  On clause 20, which is on Children found abandoned in Kenya, should have  riders in it to avoid a situation where foreigners dump children in Kenya and to  prevent child trafficking. We suggest that the committee includes a clause that  gives such a child the right to choose whether to remain a Kenyan citizen or not  on attaining the age of majority and should parents or close relatives be found;
 
f)  On clause 21:- We whole heartedly welcome this particular clause, which will  greatly benefit hundreds of thousands of Kenyans in the Diaspora, to re-connect  with their motherland. We however suggest that the title of this particular  clause be amended to read “Multi – Citizenship” to accommodate those Kenyans and  People of Kenyan descent who may already be holding more than one nationality.
 
g)  We also suggests the committee studies models of how other jurisdictions  have implemented the Multi-Citizenship clause to provide greater safeguards to  the Country and the Citizens. In particular, we suggest that the committee looks  at the Indian model.
 
h)  On Clause 24:- We strongly suggest that the rights and responsibilities of a  citizen are not defined under this chapter as there are already glaring  omissions. We feel that these are better addressed in the subsidiary  legislation.

2.  As part of our recommendations; we wish to urge the committee to consider  providing a schedule of all laws that will need to be reviewed to be consistent  with the revised Kenyan Constitution. The harmonisation should become an  immediate national exercise immediately after the new Kenyan Constitution has  been.

3.  It’s our opinion that if the suggested changes are made to the harmonised  draft constitution, it provides an excellent framework for building a better  Kenya.  We therefore strongly urge Kenyans to support its enactment during the  proposed referendum.

4.  We acknowledge that many of us currently residing outside the country may  not be able to fully participate in this exercise due to the current legal  framework that does not provide opportunities for voting outside the country.

 5.  We however urge the Committee of Experts (COE) to explore and urgently  consider including us in the referendum law, so that we can vote like other  Kenyans, even while resident outside Kenya.
 

6.  We appeal to our national leaders and all Kenyans to set aside their  differences for the posterity of our country and support the revised Harmonised  Draft so that it’s enacted as the new Constitution of Kenya.
 

Signed in London, UK on behalf of Kenyans4kenya Diaspora Network by;

i.  Julius Kaberere – Convenor, Kenyans4kenya Network;

ii. Dr. Rosa Rao - Member,  Steering Committee, Kenyans4kenya Network

iii.    Atul Shah - Member,  Steering Committee, Kenyans4kenya Network

iv. Gatheru Rwamba – Member Steering Committee, Kenyans4kenya Network

v.  Sam Ochieng  - Member, Steering Committee, Kenyans4kenya Network

vi. Charles Muli – Member, Steering Committee, Kenyans4kenya Network

vii.    Mr. Seed  – Member, Steering Committee, Kenyans4kenya Network

viii.   Clare Wanjohi – Member, Steering Committee, Kenyans4Kenya Network

Saturday 12th December, 2009.

Hardly a week after police in Kenya seized a huge cache of weapons in Narok, another arsenal was Tuesday found on a ship at the Kilindini port. Detectives at the port intercepted seven Somalis and a Tanzanian who were crew members of a Sierra Leone-flagged ship after two rocket propelled grenades and their charging system, a machine gun and 700 rounds of ammunition were discovered on board. According to a senior police officer who requested not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the case, the crew had failed to declare the weapons when they arrived at the port. He said the seven would be charged in court Wednesday.  Crew of ships that dock into any harbour worldwide are required to declare everything they are carrying immediately they dock. However, maritime regulations do not permit crew members to arm themselves unless under special circumstances. In the Narok case, businessman Munir Ishmael and his wife Nahid Tabasum and three other people have already been taken to court. In Nairobi, a businessman was Tuesday charged with possessing government stores suspected to have been stolen.

Mr Michael Musyoki was also accused of creating disturbance in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace. He denied three charges before the Kibera court. The prosecution applied for the accused to be remanded at Kilimani Police Station to enable police to complete investigations. But the defence objected to the application saying the court had no authority to remand Mr Musyoki in custody awaiting investigations by the police. The accused’s lawyer asked that he be freed on cash bail or bond. In its ruling the court allowed the police to complete their investigations, but ordered that they hold the accused for three days instead of the four they had asked. The case will be mentioned on Thursday. In the first count, the court heard that on December 14 at 4am at Cedars Restaurant along Lenana Road in Kilimani, Nairobi, Mr Musyoki blocked the main gate to the restaurant using his Mitsubish Pajero in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace.  He was also accused of possessing 76 rounds of ammunition without a certificate. – Daily Nation

Nameless concluded his tour in Coventry

Nameless concluded his tour in the UK as Kenyans celebrates Jamhuri in Coventry on Sunday 13th December, 2009. A large number of dancers attended and it was great as Kenyan artist took to the floor. The man without name surprised many for his style of dancing and his combinations of rhythm.

Noisy sex woman admits Asbo breach

A woman who was given an anti-social behaviour order banning her from making loud noises during sex has admitted breaching the order. Caroline and Steve Cartwright's love-making was described as "murder" and "unnatural" at Newcastle Crown Court. Neighbours, the local postman and a woman taking her child to school complained about the noise. Cartwright, 48, from Washington on Wearside, pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching the Asbo. She will be sentenced on 18 January. At an earlier hearing, next door neighbour Rachel O'Connor told the court she was frequently late for work because she overslept having been awake most of the night because of the noise. She said: "The noise sounds like they are both in considerable pain. I cannot describe the noise. I have never ever heard anything like it." In November, Cartwright appealed against a noise abatement notice imposed in 2007, as well as the subsequent Asbo, which banned the couple from "shouting, screaming or vocalisation at such a level as to be a statutory nuisance". Her bid was rejected by Recorder Jeremy Freedman, who said: "It certainly was intrusive and constituted a statutory nuisance. "It was clearly of a very disturbing nature and it was also compounded by the duration - this was not a one-off, it went on for hours at a time. "It is further compounded by the frequency of the episode, virtually every night." Sunderland City Council told the court they had recorded noise levels of up to 47 decibels using equipment installed at Cartwright's neighbour's house. World Health Organisation guidelines state that 30 decibels is enough to cause sleep disturbance.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner takes off for first flight

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner has taken off on its first test flight - almost two and a half years late. It had been grounded by a series of hitches, including design problems, strikes and even a shortage of bolts. Boeing has pegged its hopes for the future on the plane, which promises to be one of the most fuel-efficient in the world. It has attracted some 840 orders from all over the globe, although some have been cancelled because of the delays. Its popularity is partly thanks to its lightweight design. Made of carbon and titanium, it should reduce fuel consumption as well as save on maintenance costs. The first test flight is due to last around four hours, as the two pilots examine how the Dreamliner operates. "They will essentially make sure that the airplane under normal circumstances flies the way it is supposed to," said Boeing spokesman Jim Proulx. - VIDEO

Changes to UK Border Agency policy on judicial reviews

Home Office, 15 December 2009

The UK Border Agency is changing the way it manages judicial review challenges from those being removed from the UK. From next month:

• We will seek to continue with removal in cases where a previous removal has failed within the last ten days because of a technical reason, such as a cancelled flight or disruptive behaviour.
• We will not automatically defer removal upon a threat of judicial review in cases certified on safe third country (TCU) grounds or those judged clearly unfounded under the Non Suspensive Appeal (NSA) process. In these cases, we will usually give at least five days' notice of removal rather than three.
• We will not automatically give 72 hours' notice of removal to those who are disruptive or pose a threat to others.

The policy changes will come into effect on 11 January 2010. Our rewritten guidance on judicial reviews can be downloaded from the right side of this page.

Put a dry lemon skin into plain water until it becomes bloated. After that, pour the lemon water together with the skin into the coffee-stained cup and leave it there for 3 hours. After that, use a damp cloth and clean the cup and the stains will be magically gone.

Proverbs 20:11: Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Three things that are truly constant -  FATHER - SON - HOLY SPIRIT

EL-SHADDAI HOPE CENTRE FOR ORPHANS fundraising will take place on Saturday 6th March 2010 in London.  For more details please call either 07943043311 or 07536436061 or 07944701204. – For more information please visit - www.ehopecentre.org

New agreement will improve visa fraud detection in the Philippines

Home Office, 15 December 2009

The UK Border Agency is working with banks in the Philippines to develop an electronic verification system that will help to crack down on fraudulent visa applications. False banking documentation accounts for more than one-fifth of all fraud encountered in Philippine applications for permission to come to the UK. The new system, which will be managed by the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), will enable bank documents to be checked more quickly, efficiently and accurately. On 7 December, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by British Ambassador Stephen Lillie, BAP operations committee chairman Ricardo Balbido Jr and Ed Mackie, UK Border Agency regional manager for north-east Asia and Australasia.

Stephen Lillie said:

'We welcome this landmark co-operation between the British Embassy and the BAP to continue the UK government's wider fight against visa fraud and forgery in the Philippines.'

Ed Mackie added:

'The UK Border Agency has already provided the BAP with the hardware [server and peripherals], and we are covering the software development costs. The BAP are covering the maintenance and running costs of the system.

'The new system will enable us to detect even more quickly those who seek to cheat our system by providing false banking documents.'

There should be housing for all under new law

The Kenya Government must be compelled through the new constitution to provide good housing. Participants at a public forum organised by Kituo Cha Sheria at Ufungamano House in Nairobi said the draft should declare evictions cannot be effected without a three-month notice and that the Government offers alternative homes to squatters. "We want to see all slum dwellers taken care of through the new constitution. Their health depends on the houses they occupy and it is upon the Government to provide that as per the new constitution," said lawyer Priscilla Nyokabi.  The Kenya National Human Rights Commission Vice-Chairman Hassan Omar said the new constitution must ensure good life is not a privilege to a selected few. Nyokabi, Omar and lawyer Paul Muite said there should be a slum upgrading policy and a rent regulation board to shield tenants from exploitation. The Director of the slum-upgrading programme in the Ministry of Housing Leah Muraguri said the Government was planning to construct about 150,000 houses a year in urban areas and another 300,000 in rural areas. The Committee of Experts chief executive Ekuru Aukot said the contents of the draft were well thought out and if implemented would transform the country to the levels Kenyans have yearned for since Independence. - The Standard.

Seventeen illegal workers arrested in Hayes

Home Office, 14 December 2009

A Hayes firm is facing a potential fine of up to £170,000, after 17 illegal workers were arrested during a UK Border Agency raid. Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work. Inspector Dick Stratton, UK Border Agency. Acting on intelligence, officers targeted the premises of Only 4U Ltd on Bullsbrook Road on the morning of Thursday 10 December. The operation was part of an ongoing clampdown on illegal working in the west London area, and coincides with a large-scale advertising campaign warning bosses of heavy fines if they are caught employing illegal foreign labour. The 17 men, all Indians and Sri Lankans aged between 22 and 49, were arrested for a variety of immigration offences. Ten were failed asylum seekers. The UK Border Agency will now seek to remove all of them from the country. The employers have been told they will face a fine unless they can prove that they carried out the correct right-to-work checks on staff. Inspector Dick Stratton of the UK Border Agency said:

'Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work. 'We are happy to work with businesses to ensure they know what checks have to be done on staff, but those who do break the law will face action. 'My officers will continue to target illegal working to reduce the attractiveness of the area to illegal immigrants, and more operations are planned in the future.'

Civil penalties for businesses that fail to carry out the proper checks when employing migrant workers from outside Europe were introduced by the government in February 2008, allowing fines of up to £10,000 per illegal employee.

Nairobi, Tuesday 15th December, 2009. Poor service from the Kenya police has emerged as the issue most complained about by the public, according to the report released by the Public Complaints Standing Committee. The quarterly report also indicated that the number of complaints presented to the Ombudsman office has increased by a substantial 21 per cent in the year 2009. Poor service from the Kenya police has emerged as the issue most complained about by the public, while the number of complaints presented to the Ombudsman office has increased by a substantial 21 per cent in the year 2009. According to the report by the public complaints standing committee, Kenyans are most dissatisfied with delays in service delivery, followed by cases of injustice, misuse of office and unethical conduct. The top public institutions complained against from 1st July 2007 to date have been the Kenya police, which received the highest number of complaints at 16 per cent followed by the provincial administration at 14%. A further 12 percent of complaints was directed at the ministry of lands, while the ministry of labour, the judiciary and the state law office also had their efficiency questioned by the public. Out of the 2,372 complaints received by the Office of the Ombudsman, only 24% have been resolved, while 76 percent remain under inquiry. Simani however says the PCSC remains understaffed and in need of more resources to handle high rates of complaints. The committee is recommending the establishment of complaint handling desks in all public institutions, as well as the use of Information technology in the recording of and response to complaints made by the public.

M-Pesa Agents in the UK - 2 minutes the money is in recipient mobile phone

A Kenyan has passed away in USA. The late John Njoroge Muturi of Chevy Chase Maryland, USA, passed away on Friday 11th December 2009 at Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park, Maryland, USA, after a faith-filled battle with illness. He was the son of the late James Muturi and Eddah Muturi of Karura Kanyungu, Gikuni, Kikuyu. He was the husband to Mrs. Jane Waithira Njoroge and father to James Muturi, Evans Ndungu, both of Banana Hills, Kenya, and George Wainaina of USA. He was father-in-law to Grace Wanjiku Muturi.  He was brother to Jennifer Gatura, the late Karen Mugure, Rahab Njeri, George Wainaina, Mary Kamau, Nancy Munyua and Tom Thuo, all of Kenya. He was grandfather to John Njoroge Muturi. Son-in-law to the late Mr and Mrs John Ndungu Murimi and brother-in-law to Mrs. Rachel Wanjiku Gathu, Mrs Peris Njeri Karanja, Margaret Nyambura Nguyo, all of USA, Mrs. Njuhi Wangombe of Gatanga, Mrs. Lucy Mugure Gichuhi, Mrs. Nduta Kinyanjui and Wambui Ndungu, all of Nyathuna. His body will be laid to rest in Maryland, USA, on 26th December 2009. Family and friends are meeting every evening at 2811 Terrace DR, APT No. 115, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-3815.  Send your contributions to The Chairman of the Funeral Committee, Mr G. Nderitu or to Mrs. Jane Njoroge at 2811 Terace DR., APT No. 115, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-3815. Contact: Mrs. Jane Njoroge; 240-305-6734.

The late Mr. John Njoroge Muturi

Just jail me, only let me read

The ex-prisoner approached the prison gates with a peculiar request — to be re-admitted into prison. At first, Naivasha Maximum Security Prison authorities thought it was a sick joke, but the reality is finally dawning on them. They are now grappling with how to deal with the rare appeal from Joel Mwangi, 33. Mr Mwangi, with four other former inmates, are willing to walk back to jail — not to serve fresh terms, but to pursue studies, which they did not finish after completing their jail terms. Mr Mwangi had been sentenced to one-year by a Naivasha court for a minor offence in 2001. Immediately after conviction, he was thrown into a spin. “I thought all my dreams had hit a dead end, and I was depressed. But I decided to accept the inevitable,” he recalls. He was first taken to Annex Prison next to the main jail where he was assigned kitchen duties. “I was a sweeper, a task I found totally boring. Keeping the dining hall clean was eating into my confidence,” he said. Soon he, requested to be transferred to the Maximum Prison to pursue higher education, a plea that a senior officer willingly acceded to. He began by studying business calculations but before he could finish, Mr Mwangi was freed following a Presidential Amnesty after serving only six months. “By the time I was released, I was already booked for the exam,” he said. He returned and sat the exam, scoring impressive grades. For the former part-time secondary school teacher; the certificate was a big boost. They teamed up with another inmate, Bonaventure Mtalii, and helped to establish the secondary school section at the penal institution. “Few inmates were willing to take up studies, but we were determined,” says Mr Mwangi. The pioneer teacher taught mathematics. He was soon to realise the certificate he acquired was not enough to secure him a well-paying job. After more than eight years since leaving prison, Mr Mwangi found the going getting tough and could only secure contractual jobs. “My potential employers have been categorical that I must attain a diploma,” he says. - Daily Nation

Bye bye Kariuki Munyota (Kiki)

The memorial service of the late Mr. Kariuki Munyota (Kiki) took place on Monday 14th December, 2009 in London. The ceremony took place at Memorial Baptist Church, Barking, Road in East London where hundreds of Kenyans and friends attended. The body of Mr. Kariuki leaves for Kenya on Tuesday 15th December, 2009 with the family and the burial takes place on Thursday 17th December, 2009 in Karatina, Nyeri, Kenya. The sermon was officiated by Rev. Peter Wangaruro of IWRM. The family and several friends are accompanying the body. On right is the family posing with the coffin. Among the guests who attended the memorial was Mrs. Wamuyu Reynberg (right) who had flown all the way from Sweden for the service. Her contact is 073-6513320 or email kirigo40@yahoo.se - CLICK HERE ALL THE PHOTOS

Bishop Samuel Kamuri Muya of Talents Revival Ministries, Kenya would like to send his condolences to the family of the late Kariuki Munyota (Kiki) who passed away in London on Saturday 5th December, 2009. "Polly, Wangui and Mwai, poleni sana, I will join you at the burial ceremony in Kenya on Thursday 17th December, 2009." Bishop Muya concluded.

Evangelist Lucy Wangunjiri of Kameme Radio at Destiny Church London

Evangelist Lucy Wangunjiri of Kameme Radio was a guest speaker in London on Sunday 13th December, 2009. She was hosted by  Pastor Isaac Kamweru of Destiny Christian Ministry, Cunning Town, London. While preaching at the service, evangelist Wangunjiri who was on transit to Kenya from USA with her son urged the congregation to have intimacy with God. Her theme at the service was "have intimacy with God". When you have intimacy with God it affects everything around you including, your family, your children, your grandchildren, your friends and neighbours. Intimacy with God will change you destiny. Quoting the bible from the book of Exodus 33:7 Evangelist Wangunjiri advised husbands and wives to cultivate their relationship. Women should respect their husbands and husbands should love their wives. "It is all a matter of sacrifice. When I am outside there people call me a celebrity but when I am in the house I am not a celebrity - I am a housewife and I have to respect and obey my husband. If he say that I will  not go somewhere, I will not. He is the boss of the house." Evangelist explained. He explained that she had taken her 12-year-old son to America where he has been sponsored to do aviation a secondary school. (Full story to follow).  Her contact in Kenya is 733-533-310, 722-805-718 or email  info@pbbministries.com -  For more information please visit www.pbbministries.com

Octopus snatches coconut and runs

An octopus and its coconut-carrying antics have surprised scientists. Underwater footage reveals that the creatures scoop up halved coconut shells before scampering away with them so they can later use them as shelters. Writing in the journal Current Biology, the team says it is the first example of tool use in octopuses. One of the researchers, Dr Julian Finn from Australia's Museum Victoria, told BBC News: "I almost drowned laughing when I saw this the first time." He added: "I could tell it was going to do something, but I didn't expect this - I didn't expect it would pick up the shell and run away with it." - VIDEO

London, Sunday 13th December, 2009. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy is recovering in hospital after an assault left his face covered in blood following a rally in Milan. He suffered two broken teeth, a minor nose fracture and cuts to his lip after being struck by a man wielding a souvenir model of the city's cathedral. Mr Berlusconi, 73, tried to assure supporters afterwards he was OK. The alleged attacker, who has a history of mental illness, has been charged with throwing the souvenir. Massimo Tartaglia, 42, had no previous criminal record, police were quoted as saying. After the attack on Sunday evening the prime minister, looking dazed, was helped to his feet by aides and put in a car. He got out and tried to climb on the car to show he was all right, before being driven away. It was a typical show of defiance by a political fighter, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome. Mr Berlusconi insisted he was well at the hospital. Mr Berlusconi had been greeting supporters in a square in Milan when the assault took place. There are said to have been scuffles between hecklers and security staff during the rally. At one point in his speech, Mr Berlusconi responded to his critics in Italy by declaring himself to be "good-looking" and "a decent chap". The Italian leader was apparently signing autographs when he was struck with the souvenir. Video of the assault shows Mr Berlusconi suddenly grimacing in pain. It is not clear from the footage what happened but the object appears to have been thrown at his face. Police charged Mr Tartaglia with aggravated assault for hurling the miniature replica at Mr Berlusconi. The replica of the cathedral, famous for its gothic spires, was initially said to be made of metal but later reports suggested it was plaster.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy is recovering in hospital after an assault - VIDEO

Kenya is fast becoming a key hub for trafficking of drugs from Afghanistan

Kenya is fast becoming a key hub for trafficking of drugs from Afghanistan to the rest of the world. According to reports by the United Nations, "30 to 35 metric tonnes" of Afghan heroin pass through East Africa each year.  This is two-thirds the volume going through West Africa. The largest ever drug haul in Kenya, in December 2004, was 1.1 metric tonnes with a street value of over Sh13 billion. The proceeds from the drugs are used to finance terrorism activities in Northern Africa and some other sub-Saharan states. It is also suspected that the illicit drug trade supports the unending conflict in neighbouring Somalia. The Taliban, among whom the world’s most notorious terrorist Osama bin Laden hides, are reported to earn $100 million (Sh8 billion) a year from protecting the drug trade. Drug barons are rumoured to sit in Afghan government positions raking in billions more. The UN puts the potential export value of Afghan narcotics at about $3.4 billion (Sh270 billion) a year. So much is grown that destroying it all is impossible: With stockpiles of 10,000 metric tonnes awaiting export, the UN this year proposed creating a "flood of drugs" in the country to destroy the value of opium. Experts say the availability of drugs in Kenyan cities is fueling addiction and spread of HIV and Aids in towns like Mombasa and Nairobi.  The UN says that countries in East and West Africa, including Kenya, are no longer only consumers of drugs but are turning into processing hubs for hard drugs. Some states are "threatened" by the increasing clout of drug cartels. - The Standard.

Vein ID might replace fingerprints

Finger vein authentication, introduced widely by Japanese banks in the last two years, is claimed to be the fastest and most secure biometric method. Developed by Hitachi, it verifies a person's identity based on the lattice work of minute blood vessels under the skin. Easydentic Group, a European leader in the biometric industry based in France, has announced that it will be using Hitachi's finger vein security in a range of door access systems for the UK and European markets. In Japan, thousands of cash machines are operated by finger vein technology. Hitachi announced today that it will introduce 20,000 finger vein authentication systems at shops and kiosks belonging to two Japanese companies, which will use the devices to protect the privacy of customer information by requiring storeworkers to authenticate themselves before accessing the customer database. The pattern of blood vessels is captured by transmitting near-infrared light at different angles through the finger, usually the middle finger. This can be done in a small instrument attached to a wall or as part of an ATM machine. The light is partially absorbed by haemoglobin in the veins and the pattern is captured by a camera as a unique 3D finger vein profile. This is turned into a simple digital code which is then matched with a pre-registered profile to verify an individual's identity. Even twins are said to have different finger vein patterns.

Magugu's son weds on a Thursday

A colourful wedding took place on Thursday 11th December, 2009 between Mr. Gicho Magugu and Hannah. Mr. Gicho Magugu is a son of a former powerful Minister and MP for Githunguri Mr Arthur Magugu had his wedding at Paradise Gardens on Kiambu. The highly secured wedding was by invitation only and all visitors had to go through a security check and present the card before entry. The media was barred as well for the security of the invited guests as well not to photograph the ailing politician who has been unwell for sometime now. At the wedding was Mama Ngina Kenyatta, Former cabinet minister Hezron Maduku, Othaya Political activist Mary Wambui and her daughter Winnie, Jane Kiano among others. The bride and the groom arrived on a boat for the wedding from the other side of the small lake. At the reception which was a stone throw away. Food was served by Sarova Stanley. Asked why do a wedding on a Thursday, the answer was that the venue has been booked for all the weekends till April next year and Hannah insisted she wanted her wedding next to the lake! - MORE PHOTOS

Forget carrying cash and credit cards, a new machine in Japan shops recognises fingerprints and vains in your body and straight to your bank

Barely a day after The Hon Minister for Transport Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere gave new rules for the boda boda taxi operators, a spot check proved that many had started to follow the rules even before the enforcement starts. The new rules require the rider to have a safety crash helmet and passenger as well, wear reflective jacket and carry only one passenger.

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.

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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

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IKO NINI BWANA SEED ARCHIVE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? DECEMBER 2009 - PART ONE

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