Latest News

APRIL 2007 - PART ONE

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A man from Pwani go it all right

The Mombasa murio flying high in the UK

The winner of the London Chef of the Year 2007 has been announced at Westminster Kingsway College as part of its annual Culinary Salon which challenges some of the best young chefs in the UK . Dennis Mwakulua was awarded the title of London Chef of the Year 2007 after impressing judges with his innovative menu. Dennis works at leading business caterer Eurest, part of Compass Group, at Fijitsu, and has a distinguished career in the hospitality industry. Dennis Mwakulua is originally from Kenya but moved to London to work as a chef and to undertake his professional chef training. Dennis worked previously at Merrill Lynch and HSBC. Dennis is also a former student of Westminster Kingsway College and a member of the Association Culinaire Francaise, the Master Chefs of Great Britain and the Craft Guild of Chefs.

Dennis possing with other winners

Along with the converted title of London Chef of the Year 2007, Dennis was awarded a weekend for two in New York (with dinner at Wylie Dufresne’s WD50 restaurant), a trip to Italy courtesy of Electrolux Professional and a set of All-Clad Pans. Applicants were invited to submit a three course menu and amuse bouche for four people demonstrating an inventive and creative approach that reflects current London trends. The finalists were invited to cook for the judging panel as part of the Westminster Kingsway College Culinary Salon. The other finalists were: Ben Ford, British Airways Waterside; Rex Newmark, Beach Blanket Babylon; Vincent Hiss, Roof Gardens Kensington; Steven Walpole, Westminster Kingsway College ; Cristian Bravaccini, Roka.

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Donkey has its day in court

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SACOMA launches Business Incubation Model in Kenya,

The Incubation model unveiled at the Hilton Hotel, Nairobi

SME firm seeks to replicate UK success in Kenya

The launch of Sacoma Business Incubation Centre in Nairobi Wednesday 4th April, 2007, marked a long and torturous road into the African market for Sacoma - itself a small to medium scale firm based in Ilford, UK. Sacoma, otherwise, Sahara Communities Abroad, was founded by Kenyans in 2000.

The launch took place at the Hilton Nairobi. The occasion was graced by Hon. Henry Obwocha, Minister for Planning & National Development. Also present was the Director of Industry, Ministry of Trade and Industry who also gave a key speech. More than 200 Kenyans attended the launch which comprised of prominent Entrepreneurs, policy makers, Doctors, Accountants, Engineers, Academicians and the Media.

A large gathering witnessed the ceremony

In his key note speech, Hon. Obwocha said, I am told by no less a person than our High Commissioner in UK, Ambassador Joseph Muchemi, that since inception in the year 2000, this company has focused on offering enterprise support for small and medium sized businesses among communities outside the mainstream economy- particularly among black and immigrant communities.

Sacoma becomes the first business to establish a branch in Kenya for the Sacoma Incubator Model, which as we have been told is a unique and highly flexible combination of business development processes, infrastructure and people, designed to nurture and grow new and small businesses by supporting them through the early stages of development and change and providing them with the resources and environment in which they can flourish to assist in the creation of jobs and tackle specific economic development issues.

Hon. Henry Obwocha, Minister for Planning and National Development addressing the guests

This international perspective is important in this age of globalization. We recognize that in order to succeed in the global economy, we need to have domestic policy settings in place that are conducive for Kenyan firms to be internationally competitive.

On her remark, the Director of Industry Mrs. Margaret Rotich said, we need organizations like SACOMA  support SME in Kenya.

After several years of struggling to settle in the UK when they immigrated there to look for better employment opportunities, the duo thought of an idea that would help the many that enter the UK, mainly from the new worlds –Asia, Africa and South America- otherwise referred to as black minority ethnic communities (BME) get into the mainstream economy.

“We focus on the socially and economically deprived sectors of the society and develop solutions that try to mainstream them into the formal economy so that they can have sustainable livelihoods,” says Perez Ochieng –Sacoma CEO.  The firm, whose employees are comprised invariably of the BMEs, started by supporting start-ups with limited mutual aid capital of as little as UK pounds 3000, (Ksh500,000) business coaching, legal advice, product development and basic book management.

The minister sharing a light moment with Mr. Henry Ngei (blue) the MP in waiting for Kangundo

“We now work with UK government agencies such as UK Business Incubation, the London Development Agency (LDA), Learning & Skills Council (LSC), Business Links for London, and the UK Trade and Investment to support start-up businesses and individuals with advice on how to secure affordable workspace/ business incubator, support to integrate in UK markets, legal considerations, business rates, tax compliance among other factors,” says Ochieng.

Sam Ochieng says apart for smoothening the businesses integration into the mainstream economy, the firm also helps in identifying opportunities including brokering bi-lateral agreements and capacity building. So after attending last year’s Kenya Diaspora Investment Forum held in London in December 06, Mr Ochieng, who was a speaker, clicked on the idea of replicating the idea back home.  

“We thought that our people back home suffer similar challenges and therefore decided to establish here. We initially will focus on business start-up advice, coaching, product and service development support, training, managed work space before growing the scope.”

Hon. Obwocha unveiling the Incubation Model

Perez Ochieng, who has also been very instrumental in foraying into the Kenyan market, says the concept of incubation though alive in the Kenyan market, still requires a lot of favourable legislative framework to flourish.

“We need to deal with barriers to entry, including legal, regulatory and administrative constraints including further obstacles such as access to business development services providers, work sites, seed capital that can only be addressed by the entry of venture capitalists and other bridging players such as incubator models,” says Mrs Ochieng

The company, which will initially second two of its London staff to stabilize the Nairobi operation, will offer the four facets of business incubation from pre incubation, early stage incubation, classic’ incubation and graduation incubation.   The pre-incubation stage, which means support start, will consist of business planning, research support, training, entrepreneurship skills, management development, personal development and assistance in raising finance.  Facilities might typically include hot-desking and ‘drop-in’ facilities.

The early stage incubation will cover new start-ups and lasts between nine and eighteen months.  Here, clients will receive very high levels of support plus facilities and is often heavily subsidised. Classic’ incubation focuses on the accelerated growth of a young company which has usually been trading for a short time.  Such companies or individuals will be provided with their own office and pay rent - although these are often subsidised or ramped up over the period of their stay, usually about three years. 

The graduation stage – which the duo say is the crowning of a successful incubation, would support companies that have moved into their own premises or other managed accommodation but may retain links with the incubator, tapping into services and facilities when necessary but paid for on a commercial, market rate basis.

“We expect the incubation centre to play a bigger role in business development processes, by nurturing and growing new and small businesses,” says Ochieng whose company has acquired office space in the lush area of Nairobi’s Kileleshwa.

She said most businesses lack proper planning and insight, leading to high mortality rates during the early stages and pointed that Sacoma will play a key role in helping start ups to incubate before being unleashed to compete in the global market place where protectionism is non existent.

Globally, the SME sector plays a bigger role in the growth of most economies, for instance, it accounts for 99 per cent of private businesses in Egypt and Kenya, 98 per cent in the USA, 97 per cent in Malawi and Canada, 90 per cent in Poland, 89 per cent in Sri Lanka and 87 per cent in Zimbabwe. In Canada, it accounts for 40 per cent of GDP and in Poland 55 per cent.

For more information, please contact:

SACOMA CFE, GICHUGU ROAD, KILELESHWA,

TEL: +254 (0) 20 4343 991, Nairobi, Kenya

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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK 

The deadly tsunami that struck the Solomon Islands on Monday damaged hundreds of homes, many of them on Gizo island.	The Christian world marked Palm Sunday, the beginning of Easter Holy Week when Jesus Christ's entry into Jerusalem is remembered. Here palm vendors wait in Manila.
Penitents prepare for a procession in Cordoba, southern Spain - one of hundreds taking place during the approach to Easter	Lava burns vegetation as it spills out of the Piton de la Fournaise volcano on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion

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KMDJ PRESS RELEASE IN KENYA

KMDJ Chairman Mr. Ngethe wa Mbiyu press statement in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday 12th March 2007

Kenya Movement for De­moc­racy and Justice United King­dom ((KMDJ-UK) chairman Ngethe Wa Mbiyu accom­pa­nied by Kenya Chap­ter chairman Ngunjiri Wambugu address the Press on the need for dual citi­zenship and allowing Kenyans abroad to vote.

Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen and thank you for coming. The purpose of calling for this press conference is so that we, as Kenya Movement for Democracy & Justice, and being representatives of over 50,000 Kenyans living in the Diaspora, can present a petition to our Members of Parliament.

Over the years there has been a substantial migration of Kenyan citizens to Europe, America, Middle East and South Africa and though they move away due to various different reasons, one thing they all have in common is a very strong commitment to their mother country. They continue to be patriotic to their homeland through sending economic assistance and putting up investments back to Kenya and seek out ways to be part and parcel of various initiatives advocating for good political leadership in Kenya. One of such initiatives established was the registration of the Kenya Movement for Democracy & Justice (KMDJ) as a lobby group in the United Kingdom in 1996.

KMDJ’s primary objective is to promote and enhance democracy in Kenya, with its main focus being to protect democratic ideals, promote human rights and urge for equitable exercise of the rule of law and due process. KMDJ has provided Kenyans in the Diaspora with an opportunity to participate in projects that enhance democratic politics in Kenya. Through the years the lobby has provided forums where Kenyans living in the diaspora work together closely to provide a united effort as they seek and present opinions and solutions on matters of democracy and governance. Seminars, debates, lectures and workshops have been held with like-minded people and organisations abroad and in the country, all seeking to support and promote effective leadership and form interactions that can develop result–oriented development programmes and establish effective, constructive, meaningful and long-lasting political initiatives in Kenya. KMDJ has also established initiatives through which Kenyans abroad have been able to purchase homes and, working with Kenyan companies, organized forums where these companies have been able to showcase their investment opportunities to members abroad. KMDJ owns a public newspaper in London (The Kenya London News), which is an initiative that among other things has provided Kenyans in the UK with news on what is happening in Kenya as well as providing a platform through which they can correspond with each other. KMDJ is affiliated with the Professional & Business Club, an organization that brings together business people with interests in the Diaspora, and is in the process of initiating a College Chapter to open up opportunities for students to study abroad and facilitate smooth transitions for them. 

Following the change of government in 2003, Kenya has changed. One of the very obvious changes is the extraordinary levels of democracy currently being enjoyed in the country. Today, though the Executive branch of the government is under the President, the Judiciary under the Chief Justice and the Legislative under Parliament, Kenyans can confidently state that the ultimate power behind all the three branches of government lies in their hands, as it should be in any true democracy. Most of our officials in the UK office are part of those who have suffered over the years fighting for this democratic space and we feel privileged to have lived to see this fundamental right returned to us. We challenge all Kenyans, be they politicians, civil servants, business people or student to fight to ensure that never again will any citizen be deprived of this power.

Unfortunately, for Kenyans living in the Diaspora these changes are not enough. Most of our members left the country due to political frustrations that curtailed one’s opportunities for economic enhancement, stifled freedom to democratic expression and eradicated ones ability to freely participate in the country’s political processes. Some of us these Kenyans were forced to take up foreign citizenship to protect themselves from agents of that regime, and to get a platform through which to agitate for change. Unfortunately, since Kenya does not accept dual citizenship these Kenyans had to forsake their motherland, a very difficult situation which has never settled in most members minds. In addition, every year Kenya exports thousands of her students to the Diaspora, young adults who spend between 5 and 10 years studying prior to coming back to take up jobs here. These two groups are not enjoying their fundamental right of democratic expression. Most of the Kenyans in the Diaspora have their families living in Kenya, have made their long term investments here and defend and protect Kenya’s interests in their adopted lands, they cannot claim their Citizenship!. That whereas the country received over Kshs. 50 Billion in the year 2005, and over Kshs. 65 Billion last year, those Kenyans sending this money home either as students or employees abroad are not allowed to vote! Parliament has failed to enact the laws to enhance the political welfare of its citizens in the Diaspora. KMDJ has strongly lobbied the current government for changes to this situation as we identify with them. We have sent petitions to several Members of Parliament and had meetings with government officials on the same. The results were the inclusion of appropriate amendments in the proposed new constitution, but the proposal to change the constitution was defeated in the referendum. The most recent petition was sent to the Electoral Commission of Kenya on 1^st September 2006, requesting that protocols be urgently put in place to enable Kenyans living in the diaspora to vote in this year’s general election. The Vice Chairman of the ECK wrote back to us, and with concrete and factual reasons, informed us that only Parliament has the authority to make the necessary changes. They advised us to approach and dialogue with the Legislative. We then copied our petition and ECK’s reply to all the Members of Parliament, hoping to open a channel for dialogue. We did not receive any response.

We appreciate the fact that the government included these amendments in the proposed new constitution, and that it was defeated at the referendum. We also realize that both government and opposition agree on the need to legislate laws to allow voting abroad. However we take great exception to attempts by several politicians to politicize our petition so as to popularize their agendas during their visits in the Diaspora and we urge them to stop representing our petition as if it were their initiative. We also find their ploy to include the petition as one of the issues they want addressed in minimum reforms as quite preposterous as we aware that there are simpler ways to enact laws. We do not need to change the constitution to do this, or even for them to win in the next elections. We remind them that the current constitution provided free and fair elections enabled them to remove a government that was entrenched through 24 years of power. With technology it is easy to put in place systems where people vote through the various Kenyan missions in their host countries, if Parliament can introduce and pass into law the required bills. We remind them further that Dual Citizenship will also avoid situations where a host country puts work conditions that are punitive as was seen recently with one of our athletes.  

In conclusion, to our brothers and sisters in Kenya who already have the opportunity to vote in this years General Election. KMDJ is urging you to remind all politicians who will be seeking our vote that they are elected primarily to add value to our basic lives and that the only MOU that matters is the one they give to us, not the one(s) they sign amongst themselves. As a crowded field hits the political campaign trail and voters prepare for what will certainly be a very intense election, we are asking Kenyans not to allow politicians to hoodwink them and confuse issues using political rhetoric and drama. Do not be disappointed when previous leaders let you down to the extent you opt not to vote, as this is a right that you must exercise for the sake of your and your loved ones. Let us elect the next civic and parliamentary leaders, the next government, and the next official opposition, purely as per the individual person and party’s abilities respectively. Kenya must maintain and sustain all the progress made in the fields of Education, Economic Empowerment, Communications & Transport Infrastructure, War on Corruption, Democracy, Social Development & Government Administration, Healthcare, Security and Water provision. Let us not only elect a government that will improve current development initiatives and sustain development, but also put in place an opposition that will fight to ensure democracy is enhanced and protected;-the last 4 years have proved very clearly that the only protection from the excesses of any government is a strong and vibrant opposition.

We urge Kenyans to ensure that after the next elections, the ultimate political environment is still balanced in favor of ‘Wanjiku’.

THANK YOU ALL

…………………………………………………                                              Ngethe Wa Mbiyu Chairman                                                                                              Kenya Movement For Democracy & Justice-UK

…………………………………………………                                                                               Ngunjiri Wambugu-Chairman                                                                                                        Kenya Movement For Democracy & Justice-Kenya

………………………………………                                                                                             Emmanuel Ngongo-Secretary General                                                                                           Kenya Movement For Democracy & Justice-Kenya

Contacts:

KMDJ-UK

Mr. Ngethe Wa Mbiyu- Chairman 
Email: john.mbiyu@talk21.com; ngethembiyu@hotmail.co.uk

Miss Agnes Gitau- Secretary General 
Email: shiku@aol.com

KMDJ-Kenya

Mr Ngunjiri Wambugu-Chairman

Email: ngunjiriwambugu@gmail.com

0724 958331

Mr. Emanuel Ngongo-Secretary General

Email: emmanuel.dennis@gmail.com

0722c 619005

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News in pictures

George Bush greets workers during a visit to the Labradores Mayas Packing Station in the village of Chirijuyu Teepan, Guatemala.	Newborn white lion cubs get their bearings in Harbin, northeast China.
An All Nippon Airways plane carrying 60 passengers makes an emergency landing at an airport in Kochi, southwestern Japan.	Contestants in the 2007 Miss USA pageant cool off during the annual swimsuit photo shoot at Universal Studios.
The current world record holder for the world's longest hot dog, which was created at the Akasaka Prince Hotel in Tokyo, in 2006. The hot dog, certified by Guinness as the record holder, was 60.3m in length. This photo, by Tim Lindenschmidt, shows the hot dog after it was assembled, but before it was cut into pieces and eaten.	The Right Gear campaign poster features a naked biker. It highlights the risks taken by moped, motorbike and scooter riders when they don't wear protective clothing on the road.

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St. Andrew's Turi School in Kenya is a

UK school moved to Kenya

St. Andrew's Turi School in Nakuru, Kenya held their Open Evening meeting in London on Friday 23rd February, 2007 at Imperial Hotel in Russell Squire in Central London. It was an opportunity for current and prospective parents to meet with the both the Headmaster of Senior and Junior schools of Turi School. A well attended evening by both current and prospective parents. Some came with their children to hear more about the school.  The headmaster of the senior school Mr. David Bryson addressed the parents explaining in detail about the school using the modern technology of a power point. He explained that the school offers its pupils both genuine childhood and a modern education. It establishes solid foundations and equips every children for success in the demanding world of the 21st century.  The is a unique international Christian boarding school situated in its own stunning estate of 300 acres. Founded in 1931, it provides a superb education for boys and girls aged 5 to 16. The school was first established by two devout Christians, Mr. and Mrs. Lavers, and values its sense of tradition.

At the meeting prospective parents asked a number of questions concerning the school but the headmaster had little to answer as the current parents were at hand to explain. Parent after parents explained how good the school is and how their children have changed both in character and in self reliance. One parent explained that with the level of understanding that she has seen taking place with her child in Turi, she has decided that all of her children will go there away from UK. One parent, Mrs. Sabiba Obare the chairlady of Kenya Women Association in UK who took her 10-year-old son last year had a lot to talk about the school. "At the beginning I was worried about my only son. In UK has character had started changing and he was relying on me to do everything for him. When I took him there, his character now is excellent and he now knows how to depend on his own. I phoned him the other day after missing a lot but after five minutes discussion with him he told me that was enough. 'Mum, you gave me the best present in life. I have to catch up with my friends - goodbye.' and the mum was left hanging on the phone. A large number of parents in the UK from different countries has taken their children there. Among the parents were Kenyans, Ugandans whom seem to hold a large number, Tanzania and surprising enough Nigerians. The headmaster explained that they have children from almost all over Africa. Another Open Evening will be coming up next year and it will be advertised in this site. For more information visit http://www.standrewsturi.com

A section of parents at the Opening evening	The headmaster used power point to push his points home
Senior School headmaster Mr. David Bryson	The chairman of parent's association in the UK (left) was presented with some flowers by the wife of Preparatory School headmaster

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WORLD'S BIGGEST CATCH

Fishermen off New Zealand have made an extremely rare catch: a Colossal Squid, with eyes as big as dinner plates and razor-sharp hooks on its tentacles. The 330lb, 16ft immature female Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni was caught on the surface of the Ross Sea, a research fellow at Auckland University of Technology, Steve O’Shea, said today. Only one Colossal Squid is known to have been caught before, although beaks of others have been found in the stomachs of sperm whales that prey on them. In turn, the squid is a hunter of marine creatures such as the Patagonian toothfish, which can grow to more than 6ft long. "All we know is that it can move through the water to a depth of 6,561ft, and it is an extremely aggressive killer," said Mr O’Shea.

A New Zealand fisherman poses with a giant squid caught near Antarctica

A man paddles his belongings through flooded streets in the city of Beni, Bolivia

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45-day holy dips in River Ganges

Hindu devotees take holy dips at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati River during the Shivratri festival, in Allahabad, India, Friday, Feb. 16, 2007. Shivratri, or the night of Shiva commemorating the marriage of Shiva to Parvati, marks the last holy bath during the 45 day long pilgrimage "Ardh Kumbh Mela" in which millions of Hindu devotees and holy men participate with the intention of washing away their sins. AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh

A Hindu holy man performs rituals on the Sangam the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati River, during the 45-day long Ardh Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad, India, Friday, Feb. 2, 2007. Millions of devotees and Hindu holy men are participating in the 45 day long pilgrimage with the intention of washing away their sins. AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh

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Week in pictures: 3-9 February

At least 20 people have been killed and 340,000 made homeless by massive floods that have swept through the Indonesian capital, Jakarta	Three days of torrential rain have caused rivers to burst their banks, sending muddy water up to 3m (10ft) deep into homes and businesses
Severe thunderstorms and at least one tornado have left a trail of destruction and at least 19 people dead in Florida	In the Old City of Jerusalem Israeli police clashed with Palestinians at a contested holy site. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters who pelted them with stones

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Africa in pictures

UN peacekeepers look on as their vehicle burns during clashes between a religious sect and police in Matadi in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday	Chicken traders butcher birds to be sold at market in Lagos on Thursday after officials reported the first human fatality from bird flu in Nigeria earlier in the week.
A small girl waves to the crowd during UN chief Ban Ki-moon's tour of the Kenyan slum Kibera on Wednesday 31st January 2007	Two of 10 people infected with cholera from a suburb of Zimbabwe's capital rest on Wednesday. The Harare water authority has run out of money to buy treatment chemicals.

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Lost in the jungle for 19 years

The woman does not speak in any identifiable language

A woman believed by some to have lived in the jungle for 19 years has tried to speak, says a Spanish psychologist who visited her in north-east Cambodia. Hector Rifa, of Psychologists without Borders said the woman "made some words" and smiled in response to a game involving toy animals and a mirror. However, she does not speak in any recognisable language, Mr Rifa added. She was reportedly discovered 10 days ago, naked and scavenging for food in the forests of Rattanakiri province. A family claims she is their daughter, Rochom P'ngieng, who went missing when she was eight. They say they identified her from a scar on her arm. But others are sceptical, saying she could be somebody with mental problems, or have gone missing more recently.

The woman has tried to run away from the family she is living with

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