Latest News

AUGUST 2003 - PART ONE

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Meet Prof. Kinina and his wife

Some of Kenyans in UK are flying high, here comes Professor Peter Kinina - working under two universities. Professor of Global Business Management - European Business School and University of College of Central Europe. (UCCE). He is also a member of CEO of ICI group and International Funds Manager. Posing with him in Oxford is his wife and daughter. Currently they are living in Birmingham. More about him click www.icigroup.cc

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Doing PhD in Genetics

Miss Esther Maina a Kenyan on the move in the UK. Currently she is doing a PhD in Genetics at the University of Birmingham. Lately she has been in USA to deliver some lectures where she delivered very impressive topics on genetics and after her lectures three companies were on line to offer her a job. She is the daughter of Rev. Simon Maina of Anglican Church, Worthings. enmain_1@yahoo.com

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Our man flying high at Cardiff

Meet our man at Cardiff, UK. Dr. Karani and his wife lives at Cardiff. He has been in UK for the last 17 years. "Dr. George Karani  lectures on Environmental Health and Public Protection at University of Wales Cardiff. He is a member of local Health Board,  Environmental Protection Advisory Committee Wales and supports Liverpool and AFC leopards football clubs". Sometimes ago he was sent to Ukraine, Russia by WHO to investigate the chemical accident there. His contact gkarani@aol.com

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What is the meaning?

Mike Rua well known as One Man Guitar who is still in London was caught by Mr. Seed camera wearing a T-shirt printed these words "INO NI NGUI"  - What does it mean? Ask him at ruamike@yahoo.com

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House full as Kenyans storm Pigeons Club, London

It was like a beehive. House full as Kenyans storm Pigeons Club, London to be entertained by One Man Guitar, Mike Rũa from Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday 23rd August, 2003. The popular musician arrived at the platform at 10.00 p.m. to the excitement of the crowd. People from all walks of UK attended the show. A number of people had come from Northampton, Oxford, Reading, Slough, Peterborough, and as far as Ireland for the show. By midnight, the house was full. Over 500 guests were in the house by midnight. Everyone in the club could follow the rhythm as One Man Guitar had Kenyan beat of the old songs which everyone could catch-up with. The atmosphere was peaceful as everyone concentrated with the dancing with some guests displaying their talents in full. Surely the train (mugiithi) arrived and many joined it. The naughty man from Nairobi played the guitar for four hours none-stop as from 10.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. He left the stage while his funs asking for more.

The stage started with a few on the stage	By midnight the house was full
One man guitar in action at the Club	The naughty  man from Nairobi T-shirt is written front and back "RUA E MOYO" meaning "Rua is here live"
Fans giving  high five as the musician throws an arrow	Guests at Pigeons before the kick off

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One Man Guitar arrives for Pigeons performance

Mike Rũa popular One Man Guitar in Kenya arrived at Pigeons Club, London on Wednesday ready to perform on Saturday 23rd August, 2003. The much awaited performance is expected to be a beehive with guests as most of the guests have bought the tickets for the day. Mike is currently on demand in every occasion in most of the entertainment places in Nairobi. His diary is always full while in Nairobi. The 28-year-old guitarist is now among the most popular musicians in Kenya. Tickets are going for £10 before ten o'clock and going to £15 after ten.

Mike Rũa (centre) well known in Kenya as One Man Guitar outside Club Pigeons ready for performance on Sat. 23rd August, 2003. On the right hand is John the drum man

Inside the Club Mike was welcomed by Mr. Duncan Ndegwa the patron of Pigeons Club he was carried away by the big TV screen on the club show England football

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Case proven beyond doubt

Women allegedly raped by British soldiers on training excursions in Kenya on Thursday 14/08/03  turned to street protests to impose the stamp of international attention on their case. The world watched as local and international photo-journalists pushed and elbowed each other to record the historic protest by 80 of the 650 women who have sued the British Government for compensation. The women are being represented by the London law firm of Leigh. This is the firm which successfully fought for the multi-million compensation of victims maimed or killed by explosives left behind by the British army in their region after its training excursions in Kenya. Their petition to the British government was presented to the High Commission by lawyer Martyn Day. He is seeking £30,000 (Sh3.7 million) for each woman proved to have been raped by British soldiers.  The women, who bore the physical and emotional scars of the traumatic experiences, either carried their off-springs of mixed race on their shoulders, or simply walked as the young ones conceived during the rapes tagged along.  Work came to a stand still at the British High Commission as employees looked out of their office windows. The women stood out in their traditional multi-coloured dresses, beaded necklaces and wrist bands. The women carried placards, the most conspicuous of which read: "Britain ! These are half your Kids: Take responsibility!'' Others bore the message: "British Johnnies (Army), Go home!'' and ''GOK stop selling our dignity'.'' The initials GOK stand for Government of Kenya. - The Standard

Hundreds of Maasai and Samburu women and their children demonstrate in Nairobi streets on Thursday 14/08/03 in protest against rape at the hands of British soldiers - The Standard

Some of the more than 100 women from Samburu, Laikipia, Isiolo and Marsabit districts who claim that they were raped by British soldiers demostrate in Nairobi, on Thursday - Daily Nation.

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Mugithi for Pigeons Hotel, London

Mike Rũa is in UK. The popular one-man guitar in Kenya well known as mũgithi arrived in UK a week ago ready to perform on Saturday 23rd August, 2003 at the popular Kenyan joint in London - the Pigeons Hotel, 120 Romford Road, London E15 4EH. The performances which are expected to be fully packed is scheduled to kick off at 10.00 p.m. The charges will vary with time. £10 before 10.00 p.m. and going up for £15 after 10.00 p.m. The one-man guitar is one of the most popular performers in Kenya today with a demand in every bar in Kenya. Contact 07930243398.

Mike Rũa entertaining the one-man guitar entertaining guests with mugithi in Nairobi.

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Drug use awareness among Kenyan community in the UK

Making a difference in the society

Majority of the Kenyan parents in the UK tend to take it lightly or that the problem does not exist among their children. Drug Use among Kenyans. The truth of the matter is that the issue is quite a big problem and some parents comes to realise it when it is too late. Parents and young people workshop took place on Saturday 9th August, 2003 at Central Park School, London E6. The exceptionally well organised and taught workshop was organised by Pastor Isaac Kamweru of Destiny Christian Ministries, London. It was attended by both parents and young ones whom both had an opportunity to exchange ideas. Pastor Isaac, who is a trained counsellor on drugs explained into details about possible indications of drug use.

He explained to the amusement of the parents about possible indications of drug use which include changes in behaviour - lots of time spent on loo, Unusually sleepy or unable to sleep at night, telling lies and/or acting secretively, loss of interest in self, explained fits of anger - mood swings, loss of appetite - weight loss among many others. He explained to the youth some ways of saying "NO" to the drug dealers/users. Say "no" and walk away, say "no" and walk and away and find an adult you can trust, ignore the suggestion, make an excuse, laugh at the idea, act shocked, suggest a 'better' idea and return the challenge. (a full section of drug use coming soon in this website).  The workshop which was the first of its kind among Kenyans in UK is worth attending. Another seminar is coming soon. For more information contact Pastor Isaac Kamweru at 07956391019.

A drug awareness workshop in progress

Pastor Isaac Kamweru expressing a point during the workshop

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High tech bridge for East London

Faster journeys - A bridge at the Thames Gateway is designed to cope with the extra traffic that investment is expected to bring. But it is also expected to cut local journey times - for example, 20 minutes off peak-hour journeys from Thamesmead to City Airport. Tolls will be designed to deter non-local traffic.

Crossings bonanza - The Thames Gateway Bridge is one of four proposed new river crossings in east London. Transport for London also proposes an extension of the Docklands Light Railway to Woolwich, a tunnel between North Greenwich and Silvertown and the Crossrail link to north Kent.

Gateway to the Thames. London could have a new bridge over the Thames within a few years. The deadline for public comments on the proposed Thames Gateway Bridge expires on Tuesday. Several designs for the £425m bridge, which would help regenerate part of east London, are being considered. It is intended to be built by 2010.	Newest link - The Thames Gateway Bridge will be London’s first new road crossing since the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge between Dartford and Thurrock in 1991. It will link Beckton, north of the river, and Thamesmead, and will have dedicated pedestrian and cyclist facilities. More than 10,000 people have so far commented on the plans.
Toll bridge - Transport for London expects the privately run £425m bridge to be funded by tolls with a subsidy from the existing Dartford crossings. London Mayor Ken Livingstone would need to apply for special powers to create a new crossing and to be able to charge tolls. It would then need to go to a public inquiry or to Parliament.	Design constraints - The look of London’s newest bridge will be influenced by its neighbours. It cannot be too high because of planes going to and from City Airport. Nor can it be too low for ships to pass underneath. A lifting bridge was ruled out because of traffic delays, and a tunnel because of cost.

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The biggest tree in the world

Looking up

The biggest tree in the world is at Santa Maria del Tule a small town in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Located 8 miles (13km) from the city of Oaxaca (on the way to Mitla), it is easily reached by bus or car. At over 2000 years old, El Arbol del Tule, which is actually an Ahuehuete Cypress, is amongst the oldest living trees in the world. With a 10 meter (33 feet) diameter trunk it is also considered by many to be the broadest tree in the world. The circumference of the trunk is an amazing 54 meters (178 feet) It is over 40 meters (130 feet) high, boasts a foliage diameter of over 51 meters (170 feet), and weighs over 500 tons. Just look at the adult standing to the left of the tree in the first photo below! The appearance of the massive tree is that of multiple trunks fused together. Recent DNA tests, however, suggest that it is in fact a single individual tree!

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Donkey's meat are safe to eat says a Kenyan vet

Source: The Standard

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Hon. Maina Kamanda visited

Hon. Walmalwa at London Hospital

Duncan Kamanu (left) welcoming Hon. Kamanda (centre) and his sister Salome after they arrived in London

Hon. Kamanda (right) chatting with Vyonne Wamalwa (left)  the wife of vice-president in the hospital as Mr. Kamanu looks on

Hon. Kamanda for Nyama choma at Josda Restaurant

After his busy schedule in London Hon. Kamanda (centre) settled down at at the famous Kenyan Josda Restaurant in East London for a nyama choma and ugali

Hon. Maina Kamanda the MP for Starehe, Nairobi, Kenya is in London. Hon. Kamanda arrived in London on Thursday morning accompany by his sister Salome Wachuka for a two day visit in London before proceeding to USA to see his children. After arriving in London he went straight to Free Royal Hospital, Hempstead, to see Kenya's vice-president Hon. Wamalwa Kijana. The vice-president was very happy to see Hon. Kamanda and they had great discussion for about half-a-hour. They emotional discussion covered a wide range of topics without missing to update the vice-president about the current political situation in Kenya. He informed the vice president that he was happy to see that he has recovered tremendously contrary to the press reports they are receiving in Kenya. He wished him a quick recovery. The vice-president who was together with his wife Vyonne Wamalwa took time to ask Hon. Kamanda to pass his best wishes to all Kenyans in Kenya and not to forget to pass his condolences to the family of the late Geoffrey ole Parpai. In American Hon. Kamanda and his sister will be visiting Philadelphia, Euston, New York and Dallas before coming back to London on his way back to Kenya.

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Meet Mzee Gichinga who arrived in London in 1965

He arrived at Heathrow on 17th April 1965

Mzee David Gichinga narrating his story about his long life in London as Pastor Daniel Kariuki of Jubilee Ministry International looks on

After arriving in London with KShs.80, he sent the money back to his father and he was left with three coins of the then Kenya money - a hera (cent), ndururu (half ten cent) and ten cent which is still attached to his key wallet - Kenya coins had a hole at the centre.

David Gichinga arrived in London, UK to study health services on 17th April 1965. A flight from Nairobi to London was costing KShs.2,500. He had only KShs.1,000 and he had to go to Gill House, Nairobi to see the late Hon. Mbiyu Koinange who was the minister of education by then to help him go to UK. Mr. Gichinga is son of the late Wilson Gichinga Muturi of Ichaciri, Gatundu, Kenya. He has been to Kenyan three times, once after ten years in the UK and the recent one two years ago. Back home he cannot recall anyone. Mr. Gichinga who is now a pensioner in UK lives at Vicarage Road, Stratford, East London. He is married to a lady from Singapore now with two children. Once of his children graduated this year. One week after arriving in London in 1965, his father sent him a letter instructing him to send back change of money which he might have been holding as all the money had been borrowed. More coming soon.

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At 70 you afford to celebrate with a dance

70-year-old Mwai Kagwara and Esther Wanjiru of Kiangai Mwomboko dancers perform an intricate twist to the amusement of guests at Sagana during the re-opening of the Sagana/Nanyuki Railway line - The Standard.

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The terrorist was of Arab origin

A suspected terrorist is pinned down after he detonated a grenade seriously injuring himself and killing a policeman in Mombasa, Kenya. The suspect died later in hospital - The Standard.

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Flying across the English Channel

To Calais and beyond ... Felix in full flight on Thursday

Straightened out ... Felix prepares to land after cutting tangled webbing from his parachute

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Wambui in rowdy incident at burial

Peter Mbugua and his wife, Wambui Otieno, pay their last respects during the burial of Mbugua's mother, Florence Nyambura. She was buried at her family's Mwetumberia home in Gilgil on Wednesday 30/07/03

Wambui Otieno on Wednesday 30th July, 2003  was received by a hostile crowd at her husband's home when she attended his mother's funeral. Over two thousand people who turned up at Peter Mbugua's home in Mwitumberi village, 10 Km from Gilgil town along the Gilgil/Nyahururu road almost turned violent as they shouted insults at Wambui. It took plainclothes police officers to rescue Wambui from the hostile crowd before smuggling her out of the compound. Wambui, who arrived at the funeral at 12.38pm, found a large crowd waiting to see her. Initially, it seemed more out of curiosity but shortly after she was escorted to the dais, the crowd kept on surging forward to see her. Efforts to control the mob were fruitless as they ignored pleas to step back. For almost two hours, church leaders and relatives pleaded with the unruly crowd to settle down so that the funeral service could begin but in vain.

Many gathered in groups of threes and fours to discuss the couple and barely participated in the funeral service conducted by the Bishop of the Church of Holy Ghost where Nyambura was a faithful. Even a plea from Mbugua, who almost broke down in tears, were ignored. At one time, Mbugua and his brother, Charles Wanyoike broke down, in frustration as the crowd refused to give way. The master of ceremony, pleaded with the crowd and even promised to parade the couple so that the crowd could allow the burial ceremony to start. Finally, there was respite but only for a short time. The crowd only gave them 30 minutes before they started surging forward. After a brief consultation, Wambui was whisked away to the main house as the crowd hurled insults at her. Wambui was holed up in the house from 1.45pm until 3pm when she was escorted by two plain clothes police officers from Gilgil through the back door and out of the compound.

Curious onlookers surrounded the house and youths formed a ring around her as she got into a vehicle.  Wambui urged a reluctant Mbugua to get into the car as it was no longer safe to stay behind. Immediately the couple left, the crowd dispersed even before the burial ceremony was over.  Earlier, self-styled security youths carried Mbugua shoulder high after he threw soil into his mother's grave. The couple could not even place wreaths of flowers they had brought from Nairobi. An agitated Wambui told journalists: ''They either accept me with Mbugua or I take him away.'' Drama started at Naivasha District Hospital mortuary where the body of Mbugua's mother, Ms Florence Nyambura, was to be collected for burial. At 9.35am, hundreds of people started trickling in to catch a glimpse of Wambui, who was expected at the mortuary compound. The curious onlookers poured into the mortuary compound in droves as word went around that Mbugua's 67-year-old wife was expected.

But at 10.15am, Mbugua arrived in a Toyota Corolla with relatives after he received word that Wambui would not make it to the mortuary but would proceed to the home for the funeral. A charged crowd mobbed the car and Mbugua had difficulties getting out. He was immediately whisked to the mortuary. After the body was put into a waiting pick up for transport home, the crowd refused to give way as they demanded to see Mbugua.  The shy 28-year-old declined but journalists pleaded with him as the crowd threatened to get out of hand. Immediately after he agreed to greet the crowd, he was allowed to drive off and follow the pick up that was ferrying his mother's remains. At his home, people walked for tens of kilometres to see the couple.  A neighbour, who declined to give his name, said it was the first time the village was hosting such a large number of visitors. Some walked, others rode their bicycles while others drove. They patched on trees and fences even a top vehicles to catch a glimpse of the odd couple.

Mr Peter Karanja, 72, from Gichigirira village in Ol Kalau, said he was attending Nyambura's funeral and was not in anyway moved by Mbugua's choice of a wife. Hawkers did brisk business and even the local Coca Cola distributor pitched camp at the expansive compound with his goods. Later, an apparently shaken Wambui dismissed the incident saying that she had been through more difficult situations but was worried about her husband. "I was not shocked. I have been through worse. These people were just spoilers. My concern right now is for my husband who has been overwhelmed by the reactions," she said. - The Standard

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A word of comfort

Family and friends joined the late Ndirangu's mother at Karima for a comforting service. The meeting which takes place every evening is conducted by Jubilee Ministry International under the leadership of Pastor Daniel Kariuki. Some friends of Aunt Mso came as far as Germany with their condolences. Douglas Ndirangu Muthoni, 24, passed away in at Warley Hospital, Brentwood, Essex on  27th July, 2003. He is the son Muthoni Aunt Mso, of Karima, 56 Plashet Road, London. According to reliable sources the late Ndirangu committed suicide at the hospital. He was admitted at the hospital with a depression.  He comes from Githunguri, Kiambu, Kenya. Family and friends will be meeting at Karima, 56 Plashet Road, London E13 as from tomorrow Tuesday 29th July, 2003. Contact 07944113362.

"Today this is a Karima with a difference - when the spirit of the Lord comes, Karima is not longer the same Karima" -  Pastor Kariuki

Elizabeth Muthoni (second left) the mother of the late Ndirangu

Pastor Daniel Kariuki of Jubilee preaching at the Machakaya at Karima this week

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Muite for BBC interview in London

Hon. Muite passed in London last week on his way to Kenya from USA. On his busy schedule in London he visited BBC studios for an interview. His interview  was based on terrorist bill in Kenya. Muite was highly welcomed at the BBC offices. - 28/07/03

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At African Union meeting in Maputo

Muammar Gaddafi signing his autography at the African Union meeting in Maputo in July, 2003

A traditional drummer was at hand to entertain the guests

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