Latest News

JUNE 2004 - PART ONE

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Prison gets beauty queen

Its all smiles for these inmates at the Langata Women's Prison, Nairobi, who were crowned yesterday at a function presided over by the Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Information, Mrs Rebecca Nabutola - Daily Nation

Milka Wanja (second right), who is serving a one-year jail term, won the Women’s Prison Beauty Contest held at Langata, Nairobi yesterday. Betty Akinyi (second left) was the first runner-up, followed by Jackline Maganja (right) and Winter Atieno - The Standard.

A woman serving a one-year sentence at Lang’ata Women’s Prison for handling stolen goods was crowned the most beautiful woman in prison on Saturday 26th June, 2004 during the prisons inaugural beauty pageant. The 24-year-old Milka Wanja expressed the urge to leave incarceration so she could compete against other beauty queens after she was crowned Miss Lang’ata Women’s Prison 2004. Wanja leaves prison in October this year.  The first runners up was 25 –year old Betty Akinyi followed by Jackline Maganjo, 23. Winter Atieno, 22, was third runner-up.  The colourful event sponsored by Vera Beauty College paraded 16 contestants showing off African print and designs.  The crowd delivered a standing ovation every time a model pranced, or trotted down the catwalk.  The ecstatic crowd consisted of fellow inmates, select invited guests, and a bench of judges. Wanja, who was overwhelmed by the win said: "I am so thrilled about being placed at the top." Prisons Commissioner Ibrahim Kamakili said: "For a long time people in prison have been regarded as outcasts. I am now glad that the doors of the prison are now open for us to interact with each other".

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"Karibu, hakuna matata"

"Karibu, hakuna matata" was the actual words by Monica Nashandi the Namibian High Commissioner to the UK as she welcomed a Kenyan team in her office in London on Thursday 24th June, 2004. The team had made a courtesy call to the high commissioner who had invited the team in her offices through Mr. Maina Kanyora of African Centre in Reading. Among the team was Rev. Samuel Kamuri Muya of Talents Revival Ministry, Kenya currently visiting the UK, Mr. Seed and the director of African Centre in Reading, Mr. Maina Kanyora. The high commissioner explained to the Kenyan team about the investment opportunities in Namibia. She said Namibia is a small country with a population of 1.8 million people. There are very  few Namibians in the UK who come with a two year's working visa. Most of them do not  like to settle in the UK. The team was invited for a later date get-together in her residence where they will met other members from other African countries. She welcomed Rev. Muya to start Talents Revival Ministries in Namibia.

From left is Mr. Maina Kanyora, HE Monica Nashandi the high commissioner of Namibia and Rev. Muya of Talents Revival Ministries

HE Monica Nashandi and Mr. Seed in her offices in London

NAMIBIA'S PROFILE

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Kameme's Lucy wa Ngunjiri shows up in London

Lucy wa Ngunjiri a popular Gospel has shpwn up in London. Lucy who does her presentation on Sundays is in London to see her sister who has been in the hospital. On Saturday 19th June, 2004 she showed up at a fundraising event in East Ham, East London and then on Sunday she one of the few people who testified at Evangelist Theresa Wairimu's crusade at Emmanuel Centre, Central London. When she arrived in London she was quick to ask her relatives - "Do you know Mr. Seed"? Her contact in Nairobi is 00254312110/1, 217963.  Email werlameck@hotmail.com. Kameme FM  employs about 70 employees and if you want to communicate to them you can do so through SMS 0721531947 or studio calls at 0025420312101/2/3.

Lucy wa Ngunjiri a popular Gospel Presenter at Kameme FM Nairobi at the function in London on Saturday 19th June, 2004

Lucy with (left) and her boss Rose Kimotho (right) the Managing Director of Kameme FM at a function in Nairobi

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Music producer/ Sound Engineer/ Artist

Antony Obwaka, a.k.a. Toshi

Toshi receiving a Jack Patchey Award from the Mayor of Redbridge on Friday 18th June, 2004 through Sahara Communities Abroad

He Hails from Nairobi, currently with the Kenyan rap group NANNOMA. He is currently living in Plaistow, East London where he is currently starting up a music production company. He has been learning and trying his hands on production for about 2 years prior to thinking of the idea of starting my own production company. This has been mainly on his own music as an artist. “On starting up the foundation for my production house, I have had the privilege of recording and producing demo songs for several young and up and coming musicians mostly from the Plaistow and East London area, but a also a few others from other parts of London,” says Toshi. “The music that I have mostly been working with is Hip-hop, RnB, Garage and Bashment. I have a small home studio set-up, which I am slowly and steadily upgrading” Though he is new to the business side of the music industry in London, he is quickly learning the ropes and looks likely to be the next big urban producer in the UK from Kenya. Toshi says,” My desire is to help young musicians from around my area who have talent, but may not be able to afford to pay for big studios to record their music and get them heard. Right now what we’re doing with the artists Kenyan, British, Japanese….or whichever other young people who can show proof of their talent…u dig?!” “Then the next thing we are trying to do is to get our songs on London radio stations, plus shopping them to bigger record labels in the UK hoping to get good record deals for these promising artists” Yap!! - Contact - Toshi - Producer - Fave Productions - Tel: 07947516793 - 07754902900 - Email: toshizle@yahoo.com

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Kenyan men reject 'mutilated' women

Ugandan sex-workers are doing thriving business with Kenyan men

A new generation of men from western Kenya, where female genital mutilation is widely practised, say they are abandoning their "mutilated" wives and girlfriends for sexual partners across the border in Ugandan. They say the practice of genital mutilation is outdated and those who practice the procedure should bury the knives that deform women. The Kenyan men defend their decision to love and marry women from Uganda, where the practice of female genital mutilation is uncommon. "It's a primitive and shameful thing which we have now vowed to fight as a new generation," said Joseph, from the Kalenjin ethnic group. "Our continued coming to the Ugandan side of the border to sleep with these Ugandan women should serve as a big warning to our parents and the clan leaders. We are not ready to marry our own girls whose sex organs have been tampered with by the primitive genital surgeons in the villages," he said. The commercial sex-workers say that some of them had accepted generous offers of house rent, bank accounts, television sets and medical care from the Kenyan men flirting with them. "My newly found fiance from Kenya is actually a properly married man back home," said Agnes, a sex-worker in Busia.  "He is convincing me to abandon this commercial sex business so I can cohabit with him as his special junior wife with a house of my own in the [Kenyan] town of Eldoret, and I have no objection to this offer," she said. The risk of HIV/Aids does not seem to stop the Kenyan men frequenting Malaba and Busia. "We would rather contract the HIV/Aids from the women in Malaba and die comfortably from it than be confined to the boredom of cohabiting with Kenyan women with deficient genital composition," said Joseph. But Kiprono, who met his fiancee in a hotel in Malaba, said the couple had both accepted the idea of voluntary HIV/Aids counselling and testing. They had tested negative to the virus. Their wedding ceremony was boycotted by the majority of the elder Kenyan clan leaders. Kiprono said he was a living example of a new generation of youth who are openly protesting against female genital mutilation. "I am quite happy that several of my friends have also decided to annoy our clan leaders by opting to marry from the tribes which do not practice female genital mutilation, he said. "Unless these clan leaders stop circumcising our girls, all the boys in our tribe will be forced to marry from other tribes that respect the rights of the women to have their bodies intact."

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This photo has been sent to Mr. Seed - IS IT A TRUE PHOTO?

(Give your opinion on the message board)

May God Help us all!!!

WARNING - this is a very scary photo - CLICK HERE HERE TO OPEN THIS  PHOTO

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Final details for Summer Camp

Dj Gaspa joined The Camp Safari planning team as they met to go over final details for the summer camp. The summer camp, dubbed ‘The Camp Safari’ will take place 3-8 August 2004 at Sun n Sand Beach Resort, Mombasa, Kenya. The Summer Camp will feature young achievers, artists, Dj’s and dancers from all around the world as they give exclusive performances and skills workshops for the camp participants. Dancing group Smooth Angels, formally Charlie’s Angels and now being managed by Kamau Wainaina will join The Homeboyz, Dj Pinye and dancehall DJ Seani B from BBC 1xtra, at the camp. Look out for next UK Camp Safari event featuring top East African artist Nameless.

Kamau Wainaina presented the Camp Safari team with 20 complimentary places to attend the camp - 10 youths from the UK, and 10 youths from Kenya. Kafilat Agboola on behalf of the planning team said ‘Response to the camp has been extremely positive so far. We won’t be able to take everyone with us though; already we are looking at around 300 people joining us at the camp as participants.’ 

Contact the team for further info:thecampsafari@yahoo.co.uk www.africansafaricamp.com

A group of youth meeting on Saturday 12th June, 2004 in London to lay the ground work of the forthcoming Summer Camp in August, 2004 in Mombasa, Kenya.

DJ Gasper (left) and the promoter Mr. Kamau Wainana at the meeting. DJ Gasper will be joining the team to Kenya as young Kenyan looking for business prospects in Kenya

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Nameless flying in London soon

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Launching of Kenya Tea and Coffee in London by

Leaves and Berries Corporation

The Brand Kenya initiative and The Kenyan Community Abroad will be coming to the following cities to speak to you about what is happening in Kenya, and what part you can play to improve Kenya’s image worldwide. Leaves & Berries will be there to present you with a BILLION DOLLAR opportunity to distribute Top Quality Kenyan tea and coffee right where you live. The schedule for the tour is as follows: London 14th June, 2004 at the Kenya High Commissioner offices at 6.00 p.m. New York on 17th June, 2004, Boston on 19th June, 2004, Washington on 21st June, 2004, Philadelphia on 23rd June, 2004, Atlanta on 26th June, 2004, Chicago on 3rd July, 2004, Minneapolis on 8th July, 2004 on meetings in the USA be held at Marriott Hotel Courtyard at 9.00 a.m. Contact person in the USA is Emily Tel: 16108820744. - CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Mr. Steve Mwangi of Leaves & Berries Corporation in London on Sunday 13th June, 2004. His contact is info@leavesberries.co.uk. Kenya Tel: 00254-2-570251.

While in London Mr. Mwangi (left) toured the popular Duke of Five Safari Pub at 350 Katherine Road, in East London for Nyama Choma. Posing with Mr. Mwangi is the patron of the Club Mr. Brian Kaniu (right).

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Kibaki’s June 30 deadline must be met, says Raila

Cabinet minister Raila Odinga addresses a rally in his Kibera constituency yesterday. He defended a government decision to build a house for the Vice-President.

Cabinet minister Raila Odinga on Sunday 13th June 2004  led his constituents from Kibera in demanding for a new constitution by June 30.  Raila, who toured the sprawling Kibera slums before holding a rally at Kisumu Ndogo, dismissed the ongoing consensus. "I am trying to persuade my colleagues not to force a minority view on the majority," said Raila. By a show of hands, the crowd responded overwhelmingly when Raila asked them to state their stand on the deadline set by President Kibaki for enactment of a new constitution. Raila posed:’Wangapi wanataka katiba ije bunge kabla June 30 (How many people want the draft constitution tabled in Parliament before June 30)." The anxious crowd responded in the affirmative by a show of hands and acclamation.  Raila also maintained the Liberal Democratic Party is an equal partner to Nak in the ruling Narc coalition. Speaking after the rally, Raila said the country must be allowed to adopt the mixed system of governance as contained in the draft constitution.  He wondered why the system is being dismissed when it has not been tried and tested in Kenya. "We have reached a stage where Kenyans must be allowed to try the dress to see whether it fits," said Raila. He defended the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission against claims that they single handedly came up with the system. He said NAK leaders proposed the mixed system of governance to the review body. He said:"If it cannot work why did they propose it when President Moi was in power. Power corrupts." Raila said it is time to table the draft constitution in Parliament. However, he dismissed the drafters of the new bill, which seek to hand over the process to Parliament.

Kenya Airways has formally launched the new

Boeing 777-200ER on the London route

Kenya Airways has formally launched the new Boeing 777-200ER on the London route. Speaking at the launch of the Kenya Airways aircraft at the Royal Commonwealth Club on Monday 7th June, 2004, Mr Nehemiah Kute, Kenya Airways General Manager for Europe, UK and North America said plans are underway to fly the Kenyan Athletics team to Greece for the Olympics on the same aircraft. Lack of Government support has made it necessary for large  private companies to support the Sports Teams. Mr. Kute has specially jetted in from his office in Embakasi, Nairobi to grace the occasion. The aircraft was delivered from Boeing on May 24th 2004 and commenced service on the European route on Friday 28th May 2004. At a colourful presentation by Mr. David Granville, the Country Manager for Kenya Airways, he announced that Kenya Airways' weekly capacity from London will be increased by 15% - in response to the airline's UK passenger growth of 17% in 2003. Also present were HE Mr. Joseph Muchemi, The Kenyan High Commissioner to the UK, members of the travel trade in the UK, Kenya Tourist Board representatives, Sam Ochieng of Kenya Community Support Network and Mrs. Primrose Stobbs of the long-established Kenya Society based in the UK. Kenya Airways is the first airline in Africa to acquire the world's fastest selling wide bodied aircraft. The new B777 aircraft will also introduce the popular in-flight, web style information/entertainment system AVOD (audio video on demand), featuring unique menu selections.

Left to Right: David Granville - Country Manager - Kenya Airways, Julia Adams, Senior Duty Officer -  Kenya Airways, Hugh Fraser, Commercial Director - Kenya Airways and Mrs Becky Maina, Station Manager at Heathrow Terminal 4.

Kenyan High Commissioner to the UK HE Mr. Joseph Muchemi and Mrs Becky Maina - Station Manager - Kenya Airways - LHR

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Three specialised surgeries for face reconstruction

Boniface Mungai Njenga son of Rev. Ruth Mungai well known as Mama Ngina and the late Rev. Henry Mungai of Nakuru, Kenya is in London for a special treatment after serious accident in Kenya. Boniface never thought that he would have seen a new day again after an accident where he remained unconscious for several weeks in the year 2001. His face was disfigured and it now requires three surgeries which are to be done by three private specialists in London in July/August, 2004 subject to availability of funds. He needs almost £10,000 to cater for the specialists and hospital charges. A fundraising event towards his medical bill has been arranged in London on 24th July, 2004 in Slough, Berk in a venue to be confirmed. Your prayers and presence will be highly appreciated. Boniface is a brother to Scholar Njenga of Fultham, West London, Naomi and Christine Wambui. Contact 0208 3840412 (house), Scholar at 07946294499, Naomi at 07947649308, Christine at 07957921985 or Boniface 07944456477.

The patient Boniface Mungai Njenga

Posing with the family is from right his mother Rev. Ruth Mungai (mama Ngina), Naomi, Scholar Njenga and Boniface

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Kenya Airways has formally launched the new Boeing 777-200ER on the London route. Speaking at the launch of the Kenya Airways aircraft at the Royal Commonwealth Club on Monday 7th June, 2004, Mr Nehemiah Kute, Kenya Airways General Manager for Europe, UK and North America said plans are underway to fly the Kenyan Athletics team to Greece for the Olympics on the same aircraft. Lack of Government support has made it necessary for large  private companies to support the Sports Teams. Mr. Kute has specially jetted in from his office in Embakasi, Nairobi to grace the occasion. The aircraft was delivered from Boeing on May 24th 2004 and commenced service on the European route on Friday 28th May 2004. At a colourful presentation by Mr. David Granville, the Country Manager for Kenya Airways, he announced that Kenya Airways' weekly capacity from London will be increased by 15% - in response to the airline's UK passenger growth of 17% in 2003. Also present were HE Mr. Joseph Muchemi, The Kenyan High Commissioner to the UK, members of the travel trade in the UK, Kenya Tourist Board representatives, Sam Ochieng of Kenya Community Support Network and Mrs. Primrose Stobbs of the long-established Kenya Society based in the UK. Kenya Airways is the first airline in Africa to acquire the world's fastest selling wide bodied aircraft. The new B777 aircraft will also introduce the popular in-flight, web style information/entertainment system AVOD (audio video on demand), featuring unique menu selections. Visit www.kenya-airways.com for more details.

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Land of Honey, Milk and Thornes? Oh yes!

A Kenya in the USA has written two impressive books - Guide to Travelling Abroad  where you expect to find Honey, Milk and Thorns and Organisational Communications. Jane Waithera graduated with her bachelor's degree in mass communications and a minor in psychology from Savannah State University. She attained her master's degree in Organizational Communication at Howard University. Her thesis focused on Mzee Jomo Kenyatta's use of strategic ambiguity in his leadership style. Jane is a member of the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD). Imagine this site as those moments in your life when new exciting things happen to brighten and make your day! New things and creative ideas are being added here as often as possible. The objective of this website is to promote the sell of Jane Waithera's books: Guide to Traveling Abroad: Honey, Milk & Thorns (2002) and Organizational Communication & Project Management: Project Uhuru & Narc's One Hundred Days (2004) . Do not wait to hear about the books from a third source. No! Get a copy and provide us with your direct feedback. Come back and always feel at home as you surf through the pages.

Jane Waithira
	YOU CAN BUY THE BOOK ONLINE OR For more information and contact please write to: Jane Waithera, P.O. Box 11354, McLean, Virginia, United States of America  website www.intuitivecommunications.com - E-mail: info@intuitivecommunications.com

The energy to write this guide book has been inspired by the numerous e-mails that were received when an article was published in the Sunday Nation Newspaper of Kenya dated July 28, 2001, in reference to the challenges faced by Kenyan students in the US. These are the same challenges that are faced by students from all over the world who leave their native countries to study abroad. Prospective students sometimes would like to be educated on the process, that they anticipate to go through in order to eventually arrive in the country that they plan to study, but due to various reasons, such information is not forthcoming. I remember one young man who wrote and said, "You are the first person to respond to my questions in regards to colleges in the US despite the fact that I have friends and relatives abroad." or write to: Jane Waithera, P.O. Box 11354, McLean, Virginia, United States of America - E-mail: info@intuitivecommunications.com

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Kenya Rugby for a party at East

There will also be a raffle ticket with the following as the prizes:
On Sunday -

1ST PRIZE - signed rugby ball by the Kenya team.

2ND PRIZE - signed rugby shirt

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From herds boy to a graduate

Victor – Fall 1998

Victor – Fall 2003

Victor Ruttoh - A boy was taken from the village and the village out of him through education. His success story from a Kenyan herds boy to a graduate and now his passion and determination to make a difference in the lives of unprivileged boys and girls is a good inspiration for many who seek to promote the welfare of the needy. Victor is the founder of FOPAD - Friends of Peace and Development studies. As Inhabitants of the 21^st century where our relations are shaped by events happening many miles away, we realize the need to unite as a family irrespective of our geographical or cultural affiliations and participate in promoting peace and development, more so to the unprivileged members of our world community. This is a non-profit association that was founded by students of Peace and Development Studies at the University Of Bradford, UK. The Organisation works with other organizations to promote projects geared towards overcoming poverty and suffering.  Click here for his latest article. Visit www.fopad.co.uk.

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