Latest News
APRIL 2006 - PART ONE
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She died after falling into a volcanic pool full of boiling liquid
A pub landlady died after falling into a volcanic pool full of boiling liquid in the Azores, an inquest heard. Gillian Blann, 58, from Edge Hill, Warwickshire, stepped back and fell into the pool as she tried to take a picture of her husband John. Mrs Blann, who had been on a sight-seeing trip, suffered second degree burns to 90% of her body and died later from sepsis. A verdict of accidental death was recorded at an inquest on Thursday. The couple, who were licensees of the Castle Inn in Edge Hill, took the trip because Mr Blann had recently undergone a heart bypass, the inquest at Leamington Spa Town Hall was told. A written statement from the 64-year-old, who was at the inquest, was read out by coroner Michael Coker. On 9 April last year the couple were four days into a holiday in Ponta Delgada when they joined an excursion into the Furnas mountain region. He explained he had been posing for a holiday picture when his wife slipped backwards into one of the boiling calderas, or hot pools.
Mrs Blann fell into the volcanic pool in the Furnas mountain region
"The mountain region was volcanic with many unguarded water geysers and bubbling pools of lava. The bubbling lava was extremely hot in temperature," he said. "We were standing near to three or four bubbling pools. I was stood to the side of one and my wife Gillian was photographing me. Suddenly we were engulfed by a large sulphur cloud. I could not see anything and then I heard my wife shout 'John'. "When the cloud lifted a few seconds later, I found my wife clinging onto the side of one of the volcanic pools. She was fully immersed and we pulled her out. She was talking quite coherently and had her faculties." Mr Blann said that, although his wife was badly burnt, he did not think at that time that her injuries were life threatening. He added: "Bottles of cold water were poured over my wife to take the stinging out of the burns." Two firefighters gave Mrs Blann first aid before she was taken to a small hospital further down the mountain and then air-lifted to the burns unit of the San Jose Hospital in Lisbon. Mr Blann said: "She was still comprehensive and talking to me. She told me off for staring at her. By now I was realising that I may lose my wife." Court documents from Portugal read out by the coroner said there was no indication of foul play and that Mrs Blann's death was purely accidental. Mr Coker said he agreed with the Portuguese authorities.
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£28.50 (KShs. 3,562) for a cup of tea in London
One of London's top hotels has been voted the best place to indulge in afternoon tea in the city. Claridge's in Mayfair scooped first place in the UK Tea Council awards after being scrutinised on 17 criteria by mystery diners. Staff at the central London hotel impressed judges with their "excellent tea knowledge and attentive manner". Afternoon tea, comprising tea, cakes, pastries and finger sandwiches is served daily and costs £28.50 each (KShs. 3,562). Irene Gorman of the Tea Guild, which runs the annual awards, said: "Afternoon tea amid the elegant and stylish surroundings of Claridge's is a glorious treat. "Nothing was too much trouble for the attentive staff. "The tea was bright and golden, and a comprehensive selection ensured there was something to suit everyone's tastes." Renaud Gregoire, of the hotel, said: "Claridge's has been serving tea for over 100 years and so we are understandably delighted to have been recognised by the tea council with this prestigious accolade." The Lanesborough Hotel at Hyde Park Corner won last year's Top London Tea Place award. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE HOTEL
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Thatched House is becoming a beehive
Some people calls it Thatched House while others calls it Diamond Pubs but to many it is a newly opened Kenyan club in Barking, East London. The pub has of late become a beehive where most of the Kenyans visiting London have to visit for Nyama Choma and Kenyan food. On Easter Monday, several visitors from Kenyan who are currently visiting their families we caught up enjoying a drink and some Nyama Choma. From right is the host Mr. Githuku and his in-laws from Kenya, Uncle Karanja, Mrs. Muchai, Mama Ciru and her baby and on the left is Mr. Mr. Muchai Junior, Mr. Samson Kanyugi from Kangari, Kenya, Sally (Githuka's wife) and her father Mr. Muchai. The team together with others not in the photo are currently visiting their children. Thatched House, The Webb popularly known as Simpson on Romford Road and Club Desire have all lined up for the summer holiday nyama choma and ugali. During summer it is difficult to get a sitting place in the Kenyan venues. Jambo Cafe on 147 High Road Leytonstone has also caught up very well with Kenyan food especially Samaki na Ugali. You can make your order to find your food ready on 07904973816.
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Nakuru residents in UK sends home one of them
Nakuru residents in the UK have been meeting in London after the death of one their MPs Hon. Mirugi Kariuki and Assistant Minister in the Office of the Present on Monday 10th April 2006. The meeting which has been taking place at Duke of Five, Katherine Road, London concluded on Wednesday 12th April 2006 having agreed on several issues. After two days meeting they managed to collect over £1,000 and agreed to pay a ticket to one of them to attend the burial of the late Hon. Mirugi on Saturday 15th April 2006 in Kenya. Mr. Joseph Ngugi well known as Ngugi wa Nation was chosen to represent the group at the burial service where he will also present over KShs. 50,000 to the wife of the late Mirugi. The group bought a condolence card where they all signed and will be presented the wife of the late Mirugi. Mr. Ngugi leaves London on Thursday evening. The group also took time to pass on their condolences to the family, the president and the residents of Nakuru town constituency.
The committee of Nakuru residents in the UK presenting an air ticket to Mr. Joseph Ngugi (far right) to attend the burial service of the late Hon. Mirugi Kariuki on Saturday in Nakuru, Kenya.
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A Kenyan cafe opens in London
Jambo Cafe, the only Kenyan cafe in London was officially opening on Sunday 9th April, 2006. The cafe is situated at 147 Leytonstone High Road, near Stratford 100 metres from Maryland British Railway Station. The venue was a beehive on Sunday as the owners of the cafe Mr. & Mrs. Kimari served free Kenyan food. Over 200 guests visited the cafe on Sunday and they were served with Kenyan food including mukimo, uji, chapati, ugali, samaki, sukumawiki, githeri and nyama choma among other items. Some guests came from as far as Oxford, Nottingham, South London and Tilbury. It was eating and roughing as it was unusual scene - a typical Kenyan way of eating and relating and narrating stories. A number of guests tried to catch up with political stories from Kenya as they eat and the body language could tell it all - we are home. The cafe will be opening as from Monday to Friday as from 10.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. Saturday from 2.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. and on Sunday at 2.00 p.m. Take away service is already in place and you can telephone to make your order before arriving. Contact 07904973816.
 A team from Kenya joined other guests at the Kenyan cafe. Mr. Peter Mwangi Njuguna well known as Wagrace (left) and his wife second right and Mr. Samson Kanyugi (second left) and his wife far right were joined by Mr. Duncan Kamanu (centre) |
 At the opening ceremony was Mr. & Mrs. Kamau Matahe (second and third right), Duncan Kamanu (right) and Mr. Mwangi on the left |
 Mr. & Mrs. Joram Thuo left with one of the Patron of the cafe Pastor John Gipson Kimari |
 Mr. Warugongo (far left) and came with some friends for the ceremony |
 From South London was Mr. Ndirangu and his family |
 All from the Seeds village: from Left is Peter Mwangi Njuguna, Mr. Samson Kanyugi, Mr. Seed, Mrs. Esther Kamanu, Mrs. Mwangi and Mrs. Kanyugi. The visiting team arrived in London last week |
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A Kenyan writer in Oxford joins the club
"Go ahead, go ahead, Grace Njeri" was the shout of the guests as over 150 guests joined Miss Grace Njeri for the launching of book "Sanity - return to clarity and motivation" in Oxford. A large number of guests of honours joined the launching of the book which took place at Ridgefield Community Centre, Ridgefield Road, Cowley, Oxford. Among the guests of honour was Mrs. Perez Oching of Sacoma and her husband Mr. Sam Ochieng, a Kenyan businessman in UK Mr. Gabriel Gatheru Rwamba, Mr. Seed, Pastor Migwe of Oxford, Miss Jane Nyoike of Africol in Oxford, Mrs. Violet Jackson and Mrs. Janet Nixon. The colourful ceremony started with food service, followed by guests of honour speakers, launching of the book and finally selling of the books. Speaker by speaker encouraged Miss Grace Njeri for the courage of writing the book. Mr. Seed described the brave lady as "one of our own has done it". Mrs. Perez Oching started the ball rolling by offering a free advert for the book on Sacoma Magazine reporter, she bought 100 books at £5 each and promised to promote Grace to other women in other communities. Mr. Rwamba said he was happy the courageous lady and bought 100 books. Everyone who attended the ceremony bought at least a book with some visitors buying several books for friends. Over 400 books were bought at the ceremony. The inspiration quotes book is small and easy to carry. A copy of the book can be posted to you. The book costs £5 and £2.50 for postage. Contact 07950655053.
 Miss Grace Njeri the author of the book addressing the guests at the ceremony |
 Mrs. Perez Ochieng of Sacoma addressing the guests at the ceremony |
 The launching itself - from left is Mr. Seed, Perez Ochieng, Mr. Rwamba and Grace Njeri among others |
 Mr. Gatheru Rwamba addressing the guests at the ceremony |
 Praise and Worship team from Victory Revival Centres at the ceremony |
 Food and drink was in plenty at the ceremony |
 It was a well attended ceremony |
 Mr. Sam Ochieng of Sacoma addressing the guests at the ceremony |
 Everyone at the ceremony was happy to see a Kenyan on the move |
 Young and old joined the ceremony |
 The guests holding the books after the ceremony |
 The writer Grace Njeri was busy signing the books after launching |
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It was their worst day
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A man surveys the scene of a bomb attack in Baghdad that killed one person and injured many more. 07/04/06 |
 Violent storms, with tornadoes and large hailstones, have swept several US states, leaving a trail of destruction. |
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First Kenyan maize milling machine in UK
White Maize Milling Factory in UK. Everything imported directly from Kenya the land of hakuna matata. The factory started operation in January 2006 with a production capacity of 400 kg a hour. The white maize is also imported from Kenyan farmers in Kenya and the lot currently in the factory is all the way from Nyahururu, Kenya. The factory has brought about the revolution in the price of white maize meal and maize in the UK as well as fresh made maize meal - unlike the old system where the maize meal takes almost two months to arrive in the UK. Unbelievable prices at the factory where you can buy directly from the factory. A 2kg package which goes for £3.99 at other shops goes for only £1.80. You can only buy from one bale (12 packets - 24 kgs) which goes for only £21.60. White maize sells at 80p while in the shops goes for £1.99. A sack of 50 kg white maize goes for only £40.
The man behind the project is Mr. Patrick Warugongo a former General Manager with Unga Groups Nairobi. He has another factory in Nairobi which run by his wife. A married man with three children, Warugongo is an accountant by profession have risen from chief accountant to a general manager. "What made you think of this project Mr. Warugongo?" Mr. Seed asked him. "Well, Mr. Seed, I have been a senior manager and I have travelled a lot all over the world. I started coming to the UK in the early seventy's. When visiting friends in the UK I used to them to cook some Ugali for me. At the beginning they were cooking for me yellow maize of which you know very well Mr. Seed we don't like in Kenya. This prompted me to this idea. Later on when the white maize meal was available in the shops the taste of the Ugali is not the same with our Ugali. I mean the real fresh taste of Ugali Mr. Seed. You remember your mother used to cook some Ugali in the old days and after eating it you would like to follow the remaining in the pot. That is what I mean Mr. Seed. After retirement I decided to follow my dream. That is why I am here Mr. Seed. To bring the real taste of Ugali to the Kenyans in the UK." Mr. Warugongo is looking for Kenyan business minded people to team up with him to make sure that the distribution of the product goes to all African shops and especially Kenyan areas. His contact is 07901897416. While on tour at the factory, Mr. Seed was given a bale of the maize meal and he bought two at £21.60 per bale as he headed for a meeting in Wembley on Wednesday. All the maize mail was bought by Kenyans at the meeting while some were left asking for more.
 A packet of the crown white sifted mail meal equivalent to Jogoo or Hostess in Kenya |
 Some bales of the maize meal at the factory in Stratford, East London |
 A section of the mailing machine at Stratford |
 Plenty of white maize at the factory where they sell both maize meal and white maize for "githeri" a quarter the price we buy in other shops |
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The brain behind the project - Mr. Warugongo a former general manager with Unga Group Nairobi |
 The product speaks for itself - this one from Nyahururu, Kenya |
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Trying to fly with borrowed feathers
In San Jose, Costa Rica, dancers were practising for a performance of the aerial drama Flying Angels
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First woman Vice-Chancellor of a public University
Prof Olive Mwihaki Mugenda, 52, was on Tuesday 21st March 2006 appointed the first woman Vice-Chancellor of a public university. Mugenda edged out three male professors to clinch the top position at Kenyatta University — one of Kenya’s oldest universities — for a five-year term. Formerly in charge of finance and planning, she deputised her predecessor, Prof Everett Standa, who returns to his teaching post at Moi University, after his three-year term ended on Monday. First employed as a graduate assistant in 1980, Mugenda rose through the ranks to become a full professor in two decades. She joins three other women V-Cs in the country. They are Africa Nazarene University’s Prof Leah Marangu, Prof Rosalind Mutua of Kiriri Women’s University of Science and Technology and Dr Freida Brown of United States International University. Making the landmark announcement at the university boardroom, the Chancellor, Mr Harris Mule, said Mugenda had emerged top among the four applicants shortlisted for interviews. He said several candidates applied for the post.
Prof Olive Mugenda, the new Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor, addresses the Press after her appointment. She is the first woman Vice-Chancellor of a Kenyan public university
Mugenda immediately declared: "I would like to dedicate this appointment to the Kenyan women who work hard and sometimes are not recognised. I advise young women professionals to stay focused and determined to get to their goal." She said she would strive to be a role model to many women academics and girls since they faced many challenges, including lack of resources in their quest to reach the peak of society. Mugenda also outlined her vision for the university, saying she would de-link admission from bed capacity to increase access. First in her agenda will be to improve academic and research standards to world-class excellence. She pledged to expand infrastructure, including lecture halls and laboratories, improve the university’s financial base, motivate staff and promote discipline among the more than 10,000 students. The V-C said she would also scrap academic programmes that did not meet market demands and ensure quality teaching and learning. She would also establish a modern information, communication and technology infrastructure to improve service delivery to staff and students. She said her main challenge would be to implement the university’s 10-year strategic plan. The university had constituted a search committee headed by Kenyatta University Council chairman, Prof Onesmo ole Moiyoi, "in line with the current practice among Kenya’s public universities" to replace Standa. The university contracted a management firm, Manpower Services, to advertise and process applications. Each of the candidates was invited to present their vision to a joint meeting of Council and Senate members. - The Standard
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Over £13,000 raised at famine fundraising
Kenya's High Commissioner in the UK HE Joseph Muchemi joined other Kenyans for a famine relief fundraising at Calvary Charismatic Baptist Church in East London on Saturday 18th March 2006. The fundraising "Operation Feed the Hungry" was organised by some Kenyan pastors and Rev. Francis Sarpong the head pastor at Calvary Church and managed to fetch more than £13,000. The function which was well attended by both Kenyans and other nationalities started off with entertainment from various groups which included Pastor Victor with 'The Royals choir ’,Sister Silvia with very entertaining kids, Pastor Odima with his Prophetic dancing choir which moved the crowd off their feet and Sister Linda who was a sole artist among others. Shortly after was the word by Bishop Climate Irungu of World Conquerors Christian Centre, Scotland which was taken from the book of Proverb 19:17 where the bishop stressed on the spirit of giving. He went on giving various encounters in his life as a manager in his fathers Estate. In his preaching he said that his mum was always giving the poor and he did not understand why. He later understood when he became a born again Christian.
 TWI service (Ghanaian) performing at the fundraising |
 Kenya High Commissioner Mr. Joseph Muchemi entering the fundraising event at Calvary Church |
H.E Ambassador Muchemi who was accompanied by his wife to the function pointed out the problems Kenyans are facing due to the drought. He said this was the worst famine to hit Kenya in the last 40 years. In his speech he said the Kenya government was doing everything possible to feed the hungry and was very happy the way Kenyans and friends of Kenya have tried to help. He informed the contributors that the funds raised at Wembley were officially presented to The President on Friday by The Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon Raphael Tuju. He left shortly after to attend another function.
Other Notables were Mr. Seed accompanied by his wife Pastor Njiiri. Mr. Seed was the master of the ceremony where he participate fully in the function that was done ‘The Kenyan style.’ Daughter Seed was among the crowd and gave a presentation of the problems faced by the North Eastern People. MEGA UK was not left behind either. The Treasurer, Mr Duncan Ngari who was one of the guests of honour was flanked by The Chairman, Mr Maina Gatangi and the MEGA secretary Mr. Joseph Wamithi as well as other MEGA officials. They contributed wholeheartedly. Men of God in the House included Bishop Warui of Camberwell Christian Centre, Rev Karanja of Proclaimers Sanctuary Tilbery, Pastor Odima among others. Pastor Sarpong was the last to give contributions of £1000. - Photos and report by Wanjuguna
 Heaven Connectors choir from pastor Odima's church rocked the fundraising |
 The function was well attended |
 Kenya High Commissioner HE Joseph Muchemi addressing the guests at the fundraising |
 MEGA team at the fundraising - from right is MEGA UK treasurer Mr. Duncan Ngari, chairman Mr. Maina, Mr. Sammy Mbugua and Joseph Wamithi the secretary |
 Ms Mercy Kamau trying to catch up with Heaven Connectors choir |
 Brothers who are pastors in the UK - Pastor Moses Muchiri (far right) from Luton and Pastor Leonard Muchiri (centre) from London |
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Drought worsens in Somalia
More than half of Africa is now in need of urgent food assistance. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is warning that 27 sub-Saharan countries now need help. But what appear as isolated disasters brought about by drought or conflict in countries like Somalia, Malawi, Niger, Kenya and Zimbabwe are - in reality - systemic problems. It is African agriculture itself that is in crisis, and according to the International Food Policy Research Institute, this has left 200 million people malnourished. It is particularly striking that the FAO highlights political problems such as civil strife, refugee movements and returnees in 15 of the 27 countries it declares in need of urgent assistance. By comparison drought is only cited in 12 out of 27 countries. The implication is clear - Africa's years of wars, coups and civil strife are responsible for more hunger than the natural problems that befall it.
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Somalia is one of the countries worst affected by a drought which has hit the Horn of Africa, leaving some 11.5 million people in need of food aid. |
 Ibrahim Abdi Obley used to be one of the richest nomads in his region, with 180 cattle. Just two are still alive, while he has been treated for severe malnutrition. |
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This family in western Somalia stand by the roadside, begging for water night and day. Their well has run dry and the nearest water is 12km away. |
 ... Less resistant animals like donkeys are already dying, although some are still being used to transport scarce water. |
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JOHN FASHANU LAUNCHES ‘CRACK THE VAULT’
WIN £500,000 WITH WESTERN UNION
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John Fashanu now working with Western Union cutting the tape to officially launch the scheme |
 The Western Union team at the launching |
March 2006: Western Union, a worldwide leader in money transfer services, is giving all its customers a chance to win an incredible life changing £500,000 in its newest and biggest ever ‘Big Money Transfer’ promotion. To be eligible, customers simply have to send a Western Union money transfer between 6th March and 30th April 2006.* And what better way to send money to loved ones than through the new 2 Day service to Africa, from as little as £6.90.**
Everyone taking part gets the opportunity to guess a secret six digit vault code and win this fantastic £500,000 prize. The competition can be entered using text***, web or post. For text and web entries customers simply need to follow the easy instructions to enter and wait for the nearly instant reply. And there’s more! Each day between 6th March and 30th April, a total of 25 x £5 phone cards can also be won to help you connect to your loved ones.
Sports and TV personality John Fashanu, launched the National promotion for the African and Caribbean community. He said, “I am honoured to be a part of this magnificent Western Union prize giveaway. I know how important Western Union is for its customers all over the world, and such a large prize is sure to radiate a large amount of happiness to one lucky customer and his/hers loved ones, wherever they may be in the world.”
From the 6th March to 30th April, the promotion is a nationwide initiative, open to anyone living in the UK.* It’s easy to enter – simply send a money transfer, to anywhere in the world, text the first 5 digits of your MTCN, 6 digit safe code guess and your name to 82018. An SMS reply will let you know if you’re a winner. For an even more instant hit visit www.bigmoneytransfer.com and follow the instructions on screen. Website entries will receive an instant e-mail message confirming if they have won the grand prize. Western Union agents will also have an entry form for FREE postal entries. There is no limit to how many times you enter - the more money transfers that are made, the more chances there are to win.
Laxmi Hariharan, Marketing Manager UK & Ireland, Western Union, said, “
"CRACK THE VAULT’ is the biggest promotion ever undertaken by Western Union in the UK and a really great way of spreading some fun for our customers. We hope that winning such a huge amount of money will make a very positive difference to the winner.”
Henk Elzenga, Managing Director FEXCO MT, Western Union’s UK representative said, “We really do hope we get a big winner and this should be a real incentive to those who send or receive money with Western Union. Helping our customers keep the links with family and friends back home is what we specialise in and the added daily extra of the phone cards will make a positive difference to many of our customers. So I encourage people to complete their Western Union money transfer and Crack that Vault today!”
Money transfer is an efficient way of sending money to loved ones, whatever the occasion. Whether a gift to a loved one or a lifeline to those in need, with Western Union customers can be sure their hard-earned funds will reach the hands of those intended, reliably and with the greatest ease.
The Western Union Money Transfer® service allows money to be sent and picked up in the local currency at its destination within minutes, subject to time zone and local operating hours. In the UK, the Western Union service is available at most branches of Going Places, Thomson, First Choice, The Money Shop, AMEX, Cash Converters, building societies, bureaux de change, newsagents, pharmacies and other retail agents. Western Union’s freefone number, 0800 833 833, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for details of agent locations or to make a debit/credit card transaction.
*Entry is restricted to UK residents aged 17 or over, and not open to employees or agents of the promoter. No purchase is necessary and full Terms and Conditions are available at participating Western Union agent locations.
**£6.90 fee is valid for 2 Day Service Money Transfers up to £100 to all countries in Africa where Western Union Money Transfer is available, excluding Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya and Egypt
In addition to transfer fees, Western Union also makes money when it changes your money into foreign currency
***Text messages are charged at the normal tariff from your service provider; there is no premium charge.
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Bristol based Kenyan boxer to fight
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Boxer Kinyua dressed to kill as he prepare himself |
 Boxer Moses Kinyua outside the ring caught in Bristol after a church service |
Bristol based Kenyan International boxer Moses Kinyua is scheduled to box on Thursday 30th March at the Holiday Inn, Peterborough. Kinyua fought last November against Britain's top fighter Dale Robinson that ended in a draw when many of the crowd thought Kinyua had won. Kinyua said 'I am focused on winning my fights in the UK and maybe getting a big title shot later this year. I will ask all Kenyans community and my friends to stand with me in prayers and support to enable me to reach my goal. I am looking forward to seeing you there.'
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Gidi Gidi Maji Maji on top of Africa
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Gidi Gidi of the Gidi Gidi Maji Maji fame, has made it to the top of Africa! Not only in the world of music but of Mt. Kilimanjaro - Africa's highest mountain. The climb took 6 days and from a group of 35 climbers,19 made it to the top. "It was a great achievement for me as I learnt a lesson that patients pays" said the overwhelmed UN messenger of Truth. The climb was organised by Tim Chalen under his initiative called Kilimanjaro Initiative that aims at creating awareness about crime in East African cities and also raise funds for various youth projects. For more information visit www.kilimanjaroinitiative.org
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Planning for a healthy future with a Kenya lady
By Sami Mokbel
Food for thought: Virginia and William Chapman
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MEGA Launching in Nottingham
MEGA Welfare Society is making a breaking through in the UK. In a well attended launching meeting held in Nottingham on Saturday 4th March 2006, Mr S.K Muigai who is MEGA International Coordinator presided over the opening of the Nottingham MEGA UK branch. This was a culmination of efforts to bring together the Kenyan community together under the banner of MEGA Welfare Initiative Society, a community organisation intended to bring together Kenyan aspirations in social cultural and economic developments. Mr Muigai emphasized that in order to overcome the ills of poverty currently eating into our society in Kenya was only by realising and exploiting the business and intellectual capacity of our community. “The only way to doing this was by developing strategic infrastructures such as a Cooperative society, bank and financial services that will help our people into well researched and realistic investments. These institutions have to be controlled and owned by the people through shares and projects that come from bottom up and where every one has a say.
He also indicated the efforts of collaborating institutions in Kenya such as Jomo Kenyatta University …and Technology Mr Maina Gatangi, MEGA UK chairman noted that MEGA is going to engage the people in the Diaspora and the Kenya through exchange of idea, collaboration and participation. Meanwhile, preferential shares for formation of MEGA bank have been extended to UK residents until 11th March 2006 (applies to members).
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Mr. Duncan Ngari the MEGA treasurer arming himself in London on Friday ready to catch with the MEGA meeting in Nottingham |
 A participants at the MEGA meeting in Nottingham |
 Mr. Muriuki was the master of the ceremony - a stout MEGA supporter |
 The chairman of MEGA UK Mr. Maina Gatangi addressing the meeting |
 Mr. Sammy Mbugua an official of MEGA addressing the meeting |
 MEGA UK Mr. Maina and JJ (right) MEGA Nottingham chairman |
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Mr. Muigai of Muigai Commercial a MEGA official from Nairobi addressing the meeting |
 The chairman of MEGA in Nottingham Mr. JJ receiving MEGA constitution at the meeting |
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A family of five in Turkey who walks in all four limbs
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The siblings may have reverted to an ancient form of locomotion |
 Calluses on the hands show the behaviour is no hoax |
 The five siblings grew up in a remote part of Turkey |
Five siblings from Turkey who can only walk on all fours could provide science with an insight into human evolution, researchers have said. The three sisters and two brothers could yield clues to why our ancestors made the transition from four-legged to two-legged animals, says a UK expert. But Professor Nicholas Humphrey rejects the idea that there is a "gene" for bipedalism, or upright walking. A BBC documentary about the family will be shown on Friday 17 March. Professor Humphrey, from the London School of Economics (LSE), says that our own species' transition to walking on two feet must have been a more complex process that involved many changes to the skeleton and to the human genetic make-up. However, a German group says a genetic abnormality does seem to be involved in the siblings' gait. Two of the sisters and one brother have only ever walked on two hands and two feet, but another sister and brother can occasionally walk on two feet for a short time. In this position, both their knees and their head are flexed. The five siblings live with their parents and 13 other brothers and sisters and were born with what looks like a form of brain damage. MRI scans seem to show that they have a form of cerebellar ataxia, which affects balance and coordination.However, scientists are divided on what caused them to revert to quadrupedalism (walking on all fours). The method of locomotion used by the Turkish children and by our closest relatives chimpanzees and gorillas, differs in a crucial way, said Professor Humphrey. While gorillas and chimpanzees walk on their knuckles, the Turkish siblings put their weight on the wrists, lifting their fingers off the ground.
Tool use
"What's significant about that is that chimpanzees ruin their fingers walking like that," Professor Humphrey, an evolutionary psychologist, told the BBC News website. "These kids have kept their fingers very agile, for example, the girls in the family can do crochet and embroidery." He added that calluses pictured on the hands of one family member demonstrated that the behaviour was not a hoax. Professor Humphrey said this could be the way that humankind's direct ancestors walked. Hands which have kept the fingers dextrous would also have been able to manipulate tools, a key development which influenced the evolution of the human body and intelligence. "I think it's possible that what we are seeing in this family is something that does correspond to a time when we didn't walk like chimpanzees but was an important step between coming down from the trees and becoming fully bipedal," the LSE researcher said.
'Infant walking'
Professor Humphrey thinks that the brain abnormality simply caused the siblings to rediscover a form of locomotion used by our ancestors. "Because of the peculiar circumstances they were in, they kept walking as infants," he said. But a team led by Stefan Mundlos of the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, Germany, thinks that the genetic abnormality which causes the children's unusual gait may have played a more fundamental role in evolution. Professor Mundlos has located the gene on chromosome 17 and speculates that a gene important in the transition to bipedalism may have been knocked out in the children. Series producer Jemima Harrison said the programme's producers were moved by the family's "tremendous warmth and humanity".
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Top of the Popes
When he is not busy talking to God, the Pope spends his time plugged into his new iPod nano. But, unlike Tony Blair, who has confessed to liking Christina Aguilera, Benedict XVI has his engraved mp3 player loaded with classical music and Vatican Radio shows. When staff at the Rome station gave the pontiff a white 2Gb iPod nano last week, he is said to have enthused: 'Computer technology is the future.' Computer technology is the future. That seems rather at odds with his first Christmas message, in which he warned that the march of technology could leave people 'spiritually barren'. The Pope's digital audio player was pre-loaded with a selection of radio shows in English, Italian and German and classic works by Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and Chopin. The iPod also has an English-language radio drama about the life of St Thomas a Becket. Benedict is not the first head of state to embrace the digital age. The Queen has a 6Gb iPod mini which she bought after listening to Prince Harry's. George Bush plays country music and middle-of-the-road rock on an iPod that his daughters bought him. Tony Blair has an iPod but his daughter Kathryn has to operate it. 'I'm not very good with the technology. I'm not very good with any aspect of it,' he has said.
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It could be an elephant
For centuries, theories have abounded about the Loch Ness monster. But now a scientist claims to have solved the riddle – Nessie was apparently an elephant. And not just any old elephant, but a swimming circus elephant. Dr Neil Clark, a leading palaeontologist, came up with the novel explanation after studying the myth for two years. He insists an elephant's trunk sticking out of the water, followed by two humps of its head and back, is identical to most sightings of the beast. Dr Clark said Nessie was dreamt up in 1933 as a 'piece of marketing' by circus boss Bertram Mills after he saw his elephants bathing in the loch. Mr Mills offered a reward of £20,000 – worth £1million today – to anyone who could capture the beast for his London circus. Dr Clark, curator of palaeontology at Glasgow University's Hunterian Museum, added: 'Most sightings occurred after 1933 and it is not surprising Bertram Mills offered a reward. He already had the Loch Ness monster in his circus.'
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KTN and Standard offices grounded
Armed and hooded police this morning raided the headquarters and printing plant of the Standard Group. They burnt copies of the newspaper and shut down the media group's 24-hours television station KTN. An estimated 30 policemen armed with AK-47 assault rifles first stormed the Standard's headquarters at the I&M building, in Nairobi city centre, at 12.30am, before another squad swooped on the company’s printing plant in Likoni Road, in the industrial area, and burnt the day’s newspapers which were just rolling off the presses.
BLAZE: Copies of today's Standard go up in flames after being set on fire by police in the compound of the company's printing plant at Likoni Road, Nairobi early today.
The raids were carried out by a rapid response unit code-named the Kanga Squad, detectives from Nairobi provincial CID headquarters and officers from the General Service Unit. They were under the command of Mr James Njiru, the officer in charge of operations at the provincial CID headquarters. The elite Kanga Squad was formed by the Director of Criminal Investigations, Mr Joseph Kamau, specifically to fight hardcore criminals like carjackers, bank robbers and murder hit squads.
The raids follow a running dispute between the media house and the Government over a story in the Saturday Standard alleging President Kibaki had held a secret meeting with one of his fiercest critics, former Cabinet minister Kalonzo Musyoka. Both State House and Mr Musyoka denied the story and demanded apologies from the newspaper.
Three of the company’s journalists were seized and held in police custody over the story for the past two days. The board of directors of the Standard, Kenya's second largest newspaper, which is partly owned by the family of retired President Moi, had on Wednesday condemned the arrests as illegal and demanded the journalists' immediate release.
Early today guards at the I&M building said moments before police pounced they had closed off the entire area around Muindi Mbingu Street and the parking bays with unmarked cars, surrounding the building and blocking off any escape routes or access. The squad included armed and masked officers who herded the guards into a corner in the reception lobby. Those who resisted were beaten up before another squad frisked them and took away their mobile phones. Police then moved to the second floor control room which houses the closed circuit TV surveillance and security systems for the entire building, breaking down the door and to smash their way in.
Officers seized computer keyboards and electronic units controlling the security systems and slashed through electricity cables supplying power to the system. The officers appeared to know their way around the building and had planned their mission well, according to onlookers.
The squads then split up into small teams with different groups targeting different floors housing KTN and Standard Newspapers. They disconnected power lines from the KTN studio, taking the station off the air.
A member of staff with copies of the newspaper.
Police appeared particularly interested in veteran news anchorman Njoroge Mwaura who had read the late night news which replayed a statement appealing for the release of the journalists. Mr Mwaura had already left the station but the police repeatedly demanded to know his whereabouts.
Two technical staff working in the TV transmissions room that beams the station's programmes out to the world first noticed that raid was taking place on when two armed men burst into the control room. One of them, Mr Peter Njuguna, was taken away by the police who also seized mobile phones belonging to the staff who had earlier been forced to lie down. Desktop computers containing hard disks which store all the information in the KTN newsroom on the 14th floor were also seized, as was a Newsdesk fax machine. "This is repression. It is an outrageous assault on media freedom," said Standard managing editor Pamela Sittoni, speaking from the sealed off offices. Across the city in Industrial Area around 20 hooded policemen brandishing weapons raided the Standard printing press in Likoni Road.
They arrived at the plant at 1am in seven vehicles, parking one across the street while the rest parked just outside the gate. The policemen — all wearing luminous orange jackets with the words QRU for Quick Rescue Unit —fired three times at the gate to burst open the padlock before pushing their way inside the printing press compound.
"Laleni chini, sisi ni polisi!" (Lie down! We are the police) one of the men shouted before he and the others ran in, shouting orders at the guards, the drivers and packers. The policemen grabbed cellphones from all those present before herding the workers into a large hall next to the printing press where newspapers are packed. Anyone who resisted was pistol-whipped before being forced to the floor. While the press workers were being beaten into submission, another group of policemen broke into offices where they disconnected computers, telephones and faxes.
Yet another group of officers was systematically walking through the printing press where they dismantled several parts, disabling the equipment. An assistant police commissioner in charge of operations at the provincial police headquarters, Mr James Njiru, apparently led the raid.
He was the one issuing orders to the others to collect all the newspapers stacked ready for loading into the vans for delivery to different parts of the country. "I can smoke you! I can waste you," shouted one hooded man all dressed in black who shouted swear words as he walked up and down in front of the group of terrified workers. Police then herded the workers outside the building and ordered them to stay across the street as they continued to burn bundles of papers at the parking lot. Each time a new pile of freshly printed papers was added, a policeman poured paraffin onto the blazing heap.
The newspaper had as its main headline "Champions speak", accompanied by pictures of the best students in the KCSE examinations whose resultswere released on Tuesday. The back-page headlines announced, "Magari knew of Anglo Leasing," and "Saitoti grilled over Goldenberg." Daily Nation reporters who rushed to the scene were manhandled and threatened with shooting when they insisted on taking pictures and asking questions.
One Standard photojournalist, Mr Jacob Otieno, was beaten up when he insisted on doing his job and said he had a right to be present because he was a Standard employee. Nation photojournalist Joseph Mathenge escaped a beating only by hiding his camera and pretending to be a despatch driver. Contacted early today, Nairobi area police boss Mwangi King'ori said he knew nothing of the raids. "You have just woken me up. I was asleep. I am not aware of what is going on. I have nothing to do with that matter," he said.
The raids came just three days after Information minister Mutahi Kagwe - himself a former commercial manager of the Standard Group and son-in-law of the current National Security minister John Michuki - warned the media of stern Government action if they persisted in what he called misreporting and misrepresentation.
He said the Government would not be dissuaded from action even though it knew the media would gang up to defend one of their own. A Standard Board statement issued after three of the paper's journalists were arrested over the Kalonzo Musyoka report, read in part: "The Board wishes to reassure the readers and public that the Standard Group has codified in its editorial policy the supremacy of impartiality, accuracy and ethical reporting. It also recognizes that newspapers will make mistakes occasionally.
When this has happened, and confirmed to have happened, corrections and clarifications have been issued. But we also recognize and respect the rights of offended individuals to seek redress through established channels like the Media Council or the courts," the board said in a statement.
Board members said they were deeply alarmed by the sequence of events which followed publication of the story, culminating in the arrest and "illegal detention in police custody of our editors and journalist for the past two days."
"The vitriolic letter from Government spokesman, Dr Alfred Mutua, on Monday over the same issue adopted the same threatening vein and in our view exhibited a clear agenda to punish this media house without recognising the need for internal investigations to establish the facts. Media houses do have clear verification systems in place and these must be allowed to run their course and an appropriate decision taken. This is what was and still is going on," said the statement. Last month, the police raided the Citizen Weekly offices and arrested editors, reporters and workers, while last year, two Kenya Times reporters were also arrested and later charged in court. - The Standard.
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Egg earrings and a birds' nest hat
A carnival participant, wearing a birdcage with egg earrings and a birds' nest hat, as headgear, takes part in the final round of carnival celebrations on the Viktualienmarkt market square in Munich, Germany. The so-called traditional 'dance of the market-women' marks the end of the carnival festivities in Munich. - 1st March 2006
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MEGA Initiative Welfare Society Launching in UK
MEGA Initiative Welfare Society launching in London on Saturday 25th February 2006 was a big event which was well attended by a large number of Kenyans in UK. The launching took place at Duke of Five Pubs in East London where MEGA officials from Kenya attended. MEGA chairman Mr. Peter Kiguru and International Relations officer Mr. Muiga flew in London on Saturday morning to officiate the launching. What is MEGA Mr. Chairman? "MEGA in English is something huge, MEGA in Kikuyu is something precious, MEGA in business circles is Mobilisation of Economic Growth in Africa and MEGA means Meru, Embu and Gikuyu Association. The membership of this society is to all Kenyans by invitation. The society has taken hold in UK and a large number of people have already registered in London, Oxford, Nottingham, Milton Keynes, Manchester, Northampton, Luton among other areas and currently being represented by chairman from these areas with an overall chairman in UK Mr. Maina Gatangi. The society is growing strong everyday with Mzee Kamau on the frontline having recruited 275 members alone. Subscription fee is £2 (KShs. 200), and Life membership is £100 (KShs. 10,000).
The chairman Mr. Kuguru explained in details about the aims and objectives of MEGA at the meeting. The vision of MEGA is to build a prosperous Kenya where people have easy access to development and Commercial finance as well as technical assistance to nurture and grow micro small and medium enterprises in order to create wealth and cultivate the saving culture. The society covers several areas culture where the chairman explained that the culture of Kikuyu people has been swallowed by the modern age culture where people now don't know where they belong. "We want to teach our members about the qualities of leaders so that when the elections comes, we don't elect thieves and dishonest people. Today you only need to have money to be elected into parliament - even if you are a thief. That is why you see we have all these problems. If we enlighten our people about electing honest people, things will start to move in the right direction." commented Mr. Kiguru.
 Mr. Muigai of Muigai Commercial who is the International Relation Officer of MEGA addressing the participants during the launching |
 A cross section of the MEGA members at the meeting |
 Mr. Peter Kiguru the chairman of MEGA addressing the meeting during the launching |
 The launching was well attended |
 With show of hands the participants agreed with every point raised by the chairman |
 MEGA chairman UK (left) Mr. Maina Gatangi and MAGA chairman worldwide Mr. Peter Kiguru shaking hands after the launching |
 Showing it all with MEGA caps and smiles |
 The Management team of MEGA |
AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE MEGA
To create a financial institution that will serve as the engine for economic growth and wealth creation by:-
(a) Availing affordable financial services to our people right where they live.
(b) Availing business advisory services and consultancy to our people especially in the rural areas
(c) Focussing on development projects that can be undertaken in specific regions to create employment
(d) Carrying out business research and dissemination of information to our people.
(e) Playing the lead in reducing cost in financial services
(f) Availing foreign currency competitively to our people to enable them participate better in international trade
"MEGA to open a MEGA Brewery - 75 per cent of all the East Africa Breweries goes to Guinness in Ireland - removing money from Kenya - we are the people who drinks the beer - why not team together to make our own Brewery?"
MEGA UK MANAGEMENT TEAM
A group photo of the MEGA management team in the UK
"MEGA to open a bank - all the money in these foreign banks in Kenya belongs to us and why not open our own bank to bank our money"
| "We as Kikuyu have the right of the association, other people and tribes have their own associations - how come when the Kikuyus gather for their own association other people terms it as tribal. It is our right to associate. Let no one intimidate you that it is tribal - it is our association." - Mr. Ngethe Mbiyu contributing at the MEGA meeting in London |
 KMDJ Chairman Mr. Ngethe Mbiyu contributing at the MEGA meeting |
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Na hii nimaendeleo huko malaikani
"Kanu yanjenga nchi...no it should be Kanu yabomoa nchi... no Narc yanga nchi...."
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