Latest News
FEBRUARY 2003 - PART ONE
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Popular Church goes into flames
Manor Park Methodist Church, Romford Road has burned down. The church caught fire on the early hours of Wednesday morning 26th February 2003. The fire continued burning until late evening. The church is a popular joint with Kenyans in London wedding ceremonies and other functions. It is the venue where Daniel Mwirigi of Josda Restaurant and Mark Muiruri Thuo held their wedding and the church was lastly used by a Kenyan last month where a memorial service was held for the late Sarah Wanjiku Craig.
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Tyson secures stunning win
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Mike Tyson makes a whirlwind start to the bout landing heavy blows on Clifford Etienne right from the first bell
Mike Tyson enjoyed a stunning return to the ring by knocking out Clifford Etienne after just 49 seconds in Memphis on Saturday. Tyson flattened Etienne with a savage right hand to end their non-title contest in the first round at the Pyramid Arena. Etienne was knocked flat on his back in the middle of the ring and he lay there as referee Bill Clancy counted him out just 49 seconds into the scheduled 10-round fight. The stunning victory paves the way for a rematch with champion Lennox Lewis. "I'm just happy to be back in business," said Tyson, after registering the sixth fastest knockout of his career. "I hit him with the left to set him up, then kept my hands up looking for an opening and I got it. "I wasn't ready for this fight but I had obligations. He needed the money and I needed the money. He's a good man." It was a far cry from Tyson's last appearance at the Pyramid Arena last June, when he was humbled in eight rounds by Lennox Lewis. Tyson, who did not train for a week threatening to call off the fight claiming he had the flu, looked sharp and focused. Both fighters attacked from the bell and ended up in a heap on the canvas. The pair had only been back on their feet for seconds when Tyson threw a right hand that landed flush on Etienne's jaw and sent him sprawling to the canvas. Following a string of less than impressive efforts, culminating with his humiliation at the hands of Lewis, Tyson stepped into the ring needing an impressive victory.
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Introducing Fundraisng Techniques
Participants of the fundraising group during the training
Sahara Community Abroad (SACOMA) organised a one day fundraising training in London for people working with the voluntary sector in and was attended by more than 14 leaders representing different voluntary organisations in UK. The representatives came from organisation working with Kenyans, Ugandans, Tanzanians, Zairians and Zimbabweans. Among the participants included the web-man Misterseed, Pastor Mandy from Uganda and young coming lawyer from Women of Eastern Africa Region Organisations based in West London Mrs. Rose Macharia. The organisation covers Kenya, Uganda Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and bits of other Swahili speakers - Rwanda and Burundi.
The training introduced fundraising techniques as the communications mechanism and ideally each donor should be treated as an individual with an individually targeted package. However, common sense dictates that such an approach would not be cost effective except for the largest donations. The group was informed about the donor groups which included individuals, corporate, trusts, community volunteers, event participation, local and national organisation and statutory bodies.
If you are running a community based organisation and you need to attend the above cause please contact: SACOMA, Tel: 02085549444 email sacoma@btinternet.com
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A rising up five-year-old boy
A famous Kenyan joint in London. The Pigeons Hotel and Florida Club in East London has become a centre of attraction for all. Different groups of people young and old visit the place for beer, nyama choma and games. Notably at the venue is a five-year-old Kelvin Karanja who has grown to watching customers play pool at the club. He has come to play the game at last learning all the tricks. Straggling to hold the stick he has turned to be an expert. The boy challenges the customers for a game. During this game the boy who was playing against Pastor Gatitu won 2-1.
 Kelvin Karanja who is a son of James Karanja patron of Pigeon Hotel |
 Pastor Gatitu aims at the ball as the young Kelvin makes a close move |
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That's tattoo much, Tyson
War paint ... Tyson's new facial tattoo
Bonkers boxer Mike Tyson warmed up for his next fight by having a tattoo done - on his face. Iron Mike reportedly had the painful work done last week - just days before the latest bout on his comeback trail.Whatever happens in the ring this weekend, it's hard to imagine Tyson's going to end up looking much worse.
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An eye for a eye
Former powerful Kanu Cabinet minister, Nicholas Biwott , waits at the gate
of Vigilance House to serve the Police Commissioner, Edwin Nyaseda, with a court order.
Kanu MPs marched to police headquarters on Tuesday 18th Feb. 2003 in an attempt to persuade the force to intervene in their row with the Government over the ownership of KICC. They wanted the police to ensure they could reoccupy their offices in the landmark tower block by enforcing a court order they were given last week. But in spite of meeting Police Commissioner Edwin Nyaseda, the MPs went away again as confused as they were when their protest began. For although the police chief told them the police would always obey court orders, he added that before his officers acted he would have to consult the Attorney General. Kanu Chief Whip Justin Muturi was left behind with Mr Nyaseda to wait for AG Amos Wako's decision.
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Mobile phone firms look to future
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Can lessons be learnt from Japan? |
What will future phones look like |
Picture messaging is likely to be one of the big issues when mobile operators meet in Cannes in the south of France for the annual 3GSM World Congress. Among the cocktail parties aboard the yachts lining Cannes harbour will be some serious talk about the way the industry is going. The next 12 months look rosy for mobile firms, as a new wave of camera phones reignite a stagnant market. Multimedia messaging services (MMS) will be one of the buzzwords on the lips of party-goers and unlike previous conferences it is now a concrete reality rather than just an idea. Vodafone, mmO2 and Orange have all launched multimedia phones and services across Europe. According to Trevor Brignall, business development director at consulting firm Gap Gemini, the mobile firms are surpassing even their own expectations.
"Take-up is way above internal projections. Even if the number of subscribers is slowing, the really good news is that revenue per users has increased," he said. Jupiter Research estimates that by 2007 40% of European mobile phones will be MMS-enabled. Jupiter analyst Olivier Beauvillain is more cautious about how quickly operators will make money from MMS services. "It is too expensive to grow that quickly and I don't expect a transition from conventional phones to the new handsets in a year," he said. Mr Brignall believes Cannes 2003 will be more realistic in tone compared to previous conferences - less about the ideas of the future as about looking at what is working in the here and now. There will be much more customer focus, he believes, looking at how customers use the new handsets and what they want in terms of future services.
And there will be plenty of case studies presenting lessons to be learned and the success stories of operators which have already made the transition to data. Leading the pack will be NTT DoCoMo, the operator that experienced such phenomenal success in Japan and which has now launched services in Germany, France and Holland. IDC analyst Paolo Pescatore believes one of the lessons to be learnt from DoCoMo is that services do not necessarily travel. "The culture is very different in Europe where everyone has PCs and people are not used to data-enabled phones," he said.
3G round the corner
While much of the talk at Cannes will be how to make existing data services appeal to customers the real buzz will still be around third generation mobile phones. 3G networks and services are tantalisingly close with Hutchison planning roll outs in the UK and Italy next month and other operators promising services by the end of the year. "3G is on everybody's mind," said Mr Pescatore. M-commerce, another buzzword from conferences gone by, will again be on everyone's lips as operators seek to make paying for content on phones as easy as possible. While the UK, Germany and Italy are taking the lead on mobile services they will also be looking to Scandinavian innovations such as allowing people to order taxis and pay for parking via their mobiles. Location-based services, finding the nearest restaurant or cinema, will be back on the agenda as operators scrabble for services that will really appear useful to customers.
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Pastors Unity meeting at Heathrow, UK
It was a joyous moment on Saturday 15th February, 2003 at Quality Hotel new Heathrow, UK when Pastors and other organisations leaders met for a Unity Dinner. The dinner was sponsored by Mr. Satish Kumar a property developer in UK who is a good friend of Kenyans. Mr. Kumar has helped more than 300 Kenyans to buy houses in UK to date. The dinner which was well attended at the four star hotel was followed thereafter by speeches from different pastors. Among the main speakers was Rev. Samuel Muya from Talents Revival Centres, Elburgon, Nakuru Kenya. Speaking at the meeting Rev. Muya who is a brother to the late Kimani Muya well known in Kenya as Masanduku expressed his desire to see pastors unite in UK. He explained in detail that every church has a purpose in the house of God. "We all have different talents and we should not try to bury each others talents as if it is a competition as there is no competition in the house of God." Rev. Muya continued to explain. The meeting was crowned by cutting a Unity Cake to signify a new chapter of cooperation. (more photos soon at Church News section)
 Pastor Moses Muchiri (right) from Luton taking notes at the pastors meeting at Quality Hotel near Heathrow |
 After the dinner a unity cake was waiting somewhere to celebrate a new chapter in the pastor's cooperation vision |
 ALL SMILE as the girls cut the unity cake. From left is Pastor Jane Njiiri of CCBC, London, Mrs. Perez Ochieng of Sahara Communty Abroad, Mrs. Charity Macharia of Rema Ministries, Mr. Eunce Kamweru wife of Pastor Isaac Kamweru of CCBC Beckton Church and Mrs. Kumar the sponsors of the dinner meeting. |
 Not only the pastors agreed to work in unity - even the politicians decided to do the same. KMDJ chairman Mr. Ngethe Mbiyu (left) and Narc official in UK Mr. Sam Mwai (centre) shaking hands as a sign of unity while Mr. Ruhiu (right) another Narc official looks only |
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Being carpeted by UK businessmen
The minister for foreign affairs Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka (Kenya) met with UK businessmen, investors in London on Wednesday 12th February, 2003 at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, London. The minister who was accompanied by Kenya's attorney general Mr. Amos Wako delivered his key speech and then later on answered questions from the businessmen. During his speech he informed them that Kenya had already been evolving under the old government. "Unlike many African countries we had established a multi-party democracy, freedom of press, and an open society. In the economy, we have instigated a substantial liberalisation, freed the currency, launched successful privatisation and other macro-economic reforms."
"Everyday now, Kenyans read in the press and see on television real evidence that the culture of cynicism and corruption is being tackled head on." Hon. Kalonzo explained. He managed to deliver his message home to the businessmen but he could not escape being corned during question time. The businessmen were quite concerned about the issue of Goldenberg, Corruption and Judiciary. The businessmen insisted that those concerned should be shamed or not necessarily charging them. In several instances, Hon. Kalonzo had to ask the attorney general Mr. Amos Wako to give the answer especially those related to the constitution. Mr. Wako explained that he will all whatever is within his powers to prosecute those concerned. He explained that the new constitution should be ready by August, 2003. The businessmen could not ended up the meeting without asking about the late Ouko killers of which the attorney general promised to look at it. It was not easy for Hon. Kalonzo and Mr. Amos Wako as the businessmen were determined to get the truth of the matter.
"But it is one thing to say it and altogether another to deliver it" - Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, speaking to businessmen in London
 Kenya High Commission consular Mr. Daniel Kokai (left) talking to Kenya's attorney general Mr. Amos Wako |
 Hon. Kalonzo (left) Kenya's minister of foreign affairs addressing businessmen at the meeting as Lord Howe looks on |
 A section of the businessmen at the meeting |
 Mr. Wako answering tough questions from the businessmen as Kenya High Commissioner Mrs. Kirui (right) looks on |
 One of the investors asking a question at the meeting |
 Listening attentively to minister Kalonzo |
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Appealing for help
10-years-old Andrew Kinyanjui
Andrew Kinyanjui, 10, now in Kenyatta National
Hospital, Kenya was diagnosed with (ALL) Acute Lymphoblast Leukaemia on the 14th
of December, 2000. He was then admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital for
five months where he underwent chemotherapy. He was released from hospital
on 4th April 2001.Unfortunately, the problem re-emerged. He now needs an urgent
Bone Marrow transplant which cannot be done in Kenya. The family, some of whom
lives in UK have found a hospital for the boy in South Africa. Family and
friends are making arrangements for a fundraising in UK.Andrew is a brother to
Maureen Gachaki who resides in Hayes, Middlesex, UK. The family requests your
prayers and assistance. Meanwhile you can send your donations to
Maureen Gachaki. Her contact is 07939407749 or 02087596052 - email
moreen55@hotmail.com
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Mungiki on the rampage
Assailants believed to belong to the outlawed Mungiki sect yesterday hacked a policeman to death and then burnt his body. And the attackers also stopped a commuter bus, robbed the crew and passengers of money and mobile phones, then set the vehicle ablaze. The scene of the grisly action was Nairobi's Dandora Estate where an estimated 200-strong Mungiki squad wreaked mid-morning mayhem. The commuter bus was ferrying people from the densely-populated estate to the city centre.The mid-morning act of terror left many people with gaping wounds caused by the crude weapons, including machetes, machetes and axes, that the attackers were wielding.
A police officer covers the body of his colleague who was hacked to death
and his
body set on fire by suspected mungiki adherents.
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Fighting continues as curfew is imposed
Warri has a history of ethnic violence
The authorities in the oil rich Delta
region of Nigeria have imposed a curfew in the town of Warri in an attempt to
reduce tensions in the area. The move follows violence sparked by rows in the
run up to general elections in April. Youths went on the rampage on Sunday night
in Warri, killing at least 10 people and burning dozens of buildings. Up to a
quarter of Warri's population has fled following clashes between ethnic Urhobos
and Itsekiris. A spokesman for Delta State, Abel Oshevire, said the dusk-to-dawn
curfew would be in effect in Warri until calm returns. Two police officers were
killed in the violence, and a police station was gutted by fire. A resident of
an estate where many houses were razed on Sunday, said he had lost everything.
"All I have in life: money, property is gone. My home has been burned down and
my caravan where I sell second-hand electronics has been burned... I am
finished," Ifeanye Onuorah said.
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New Year Children's Party
It was like a family outing at Stockwell, South London. The East African Women Group Association organised a New Year's Children Party on Saturday 1st February, 2003. Children were presented with different types of gifts after winning dancing competition and by the end of the day all children went home with gifts. The well attended and organised occasion was attended by children and their parents from all walks of UK. Notably among the guests was Sam Ochieng of Sahara Communities Abroad, Sabina Obare of Kenya Women Association and Aunt Janet of Kelewele African language for children. Mrs. Margaret Kamau the chairlady of East African Women Community Association organised the party. The function ended up with the children asking for more.
Children were happy displaying their skills. Mrs. Margaret Kamau (far left) the chairlady of East African Women Community Association the organisers of the function joined in
 It was a well attended occasion. Families from different parts of UK attended |
 Mr. Sam Ochieng (SACOMA) and his children at the party |
 Children were excited to see Kelewele with Aunt Janet |
 Children attended in a big number |
 There was a dance competition before presentation of gifts |
 It was a family re-union. From left is Mrs. Nduta Wanguo, Grace and Maina (far right) |
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A Kenyan jailed in UK
A Kenyan man living in Reading, UK who tried to throttle a student before carrying out a terrifying sex attack was jailed for four years after a judge heard the victim only escaped after jabbing her fingers in the man's eyes. Peter Kahuki, of Gower Street, pounced on his Swedish victim from behind as she walked alone in Vastern Road early on May 4, gripping her round the neck with his arm. The 20-year-old woman drifted in and out of consciousness during her ordeal. And later she told police she was sure he was going to kill her because the pressure on her neck left her unable to breathe. Kenyan-born Kahuki, 21, dragged her backwards and pushed her to the ground before trying to rip her trousers off. The woman, who was walking home after working at a Reading bar, managed to escape by pushing her fingers into Kahuki's eyes as he knelt over her.
The shock of her actions brought him to his senses and he apologised, at one point holding her wrists and kneeling down while pleading with her to forgive him. John Price, prosecuting, said: "His victim suffered haemorrhages around her ears, consistent with an arm being placed across her neck obstructing her ability to breath. "According to DNA tests there was a one in one million chance of the tissue found under Kahuki's fingernails belonging to anyone but the victim. "She now feels apprehension and fear particularly at night and often feels uncomfortable in male company." Kahuki admitted indecent assault but Charles Judge, defending, said his client was of previous good character and the attack happened on the spur of the moment when he left a bar. Kahuki, wearing a blue Reebok sweatshirt and shirt, stared at the floor as Judge Josh Lait passed sentence and told him he will be deported to Kenya after his release. Judge Lait said: "Because of the difficulty she was having in breathing she thought you were indeed going to kill her. "She also believed you were going to rape her. " For some time after the attack she was even apprehensive about going out alone in daylight."
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